February 27, 2008

Vietnam to test bird flu vaccines on humans

Vietnam's Institute of Vaccines and Biological Substances, the country's biggest vaccine producer, is asking for the approval of the country's health ministry to test bird flu vaccines on humans.

The giant vaccine producer, recently turned out over 5,500 doses of bird flu vaccines named Fluvac in laboratories. Its vaccines have been used on animals, including white mice, Guinea pigs and roosters, and have proved effective.

The World Health Organization has so far disbursed US$1.3 million out of the total US$2.7 million it promised the institute, to build a bird flu vaccine plant with annual capacity of 0.5-1 million doses in the province's Dien Khanh district.

The plant is expected to start trial operation in early 2009.

Vietnam has confirmed a total of 105 human cases of bird flu infections, including 51 fatalities, in 35 cities and provinces since bird flu hit the country in 2003.