# 2902
From the Bird Flu Information Corner - a joint endeavor between Kobe University, Japan and Institute of Tropical Disease, Airlangga University, Indonesia – we get this report of Indonesia’s intention to mass produce their own H5N1 vaccines for humans.
Indonesia will produce bird flu vaccine for human
March 17, 2009Surabaya –Tropical Disease Diagnostic Center (TDDC) Airlangga University is planning to make bird flu vaccine for human.
This effort is taken since vaccination in birds considered ineffective for H5N1 spreading in birds. Researcher from TDDC, Dr Chairul Anwar Nidom, DVM, MS said that vaccine production was one effort to prevent transmission of the virus to human and to make the vaccine, TDDC had all the necessity such as human resources and facilities.
However, TDCC is still waiting for bird flu sample from Health Ministry which will be used for vaccine production. “We will select which virus sample is suitable for vaccine after the samples arrived”, Nidom said. After that, TDDC will conduct serial preclinical experiments to mice. He predicted that the trial period will take 3-6 months. At that time, probably government vaccine industry, PT Bio Farma will start launching its vaccine distribution also.
“Within a year, this vaccine will be readily used”, he said. Research materials and facilities for this project will be contributed by Indonesia government and Japan counterparts.
“Equipment and laboratory facilities here have been completed. We only need to wait for the virus samples from Health Ministry”, Nidom said. Equipments and facilities in TDDC lab are also known as the largest unit in South East Asia and cost for billions rupiah. This project will also involve 10 researchers.
Mass production of bird flu vaccine for human is predicted will be ready at the mid 2010. This will show the world that Indonesia is able to make the first existing bird flu vaccine. “Health minister will come to Unair to be the speaker for the bird flu symphosium, and will discuss more about this project”, as he added.
Source: Indonesia TV news and newspaper, Seputar Indonesia.
The statement that - This effort is taken since vaccination in birds considered ineffective for H5N1 spreading in birds – is particularly significant since it is one more indication that poultry vaccinations are failing to control the spread of the virus (see The Winter Of Our Disbelief for more on suspected poultry vaccine failures).
