Treyfish
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H1N1
<DL class=columnistProfile><DD>Writer: APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL AND THAI NEWS AGENCY <DD>Published: 17/09/2009 at 12:00 AM <DD>http://www.bangkokpost.com/advance-search/?papers_sec_id=1 </DD></DL>The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation is seeking the help of the Livestock Department to acquire hygienic local hen eggs to produce flu vaccines after limitations were found with imported eggs.
GPO deputy managing director Somchai Srichainak yesterday said the agency could produce up to 1,000 specific pathogen-free (SPF) eggs a day for vaccine development.
He said the GPO and the department were discussing the feasibility of increasing the production and supply of SPF eggs. "We're seeking ways to find local hygienic egg suppliers to help in the manufacture of vaccines as the time it takes to ship supplies from overseas could affect the eggs and the vaccine production," Mr Somchai said.
SPF eggs are now being imported from Germany and the US.
Mr Somchai said the GPO at first planned to use hygienic eggs from local poultry producers such as CP and Saha Farm to cultivate the virus. But their technologies were not tailored for SPF egg production unlike those from the Livestock Department.
However, imported eggs were still needed for vaccine production as an average of 1,500 SPF eggs were used to manufacture each batch of vaccine.
GPO chairman Vichai Chokewiwat said a committee overseeing human vaccine trials would meet tomorrow to decide if the trials should be delayed. They were scheduled to start on Sept 24.
A report of a lung infection in one of 12 guinea pigs being used in pre-trial tests had raised concerns, although studies had shown the flu vaccine did not cause the problem.
Postponing the human trials would set back the availability of the vaccine which was scheduled for January.
The Public Health Ministry yesterday confirmed 11 new deaths from the type-A (H1N1) flu, bringing the country's death toll since the outbreak began to 153, deputy permanent secretary for health Paijit Varachit said.:tiphat:http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/23977/gpo-seeks-hygienic-eggs-to-make-flu-jab
<DL class=columnistProfile><DD>Writer: APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL AND THAI NEWS AGENCY <DD>Published: 17/09/2009 at 12:00 AM <DD>http://www.bangkokpost.com/advance-search/?papers_sec_id=1 </DD></DL>The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation is seeking the help of the Livestock Department to acquire hygienic local hen eggs to produce flu vaccines after limitations were found with imported eggs.
GPO deputy managing director Somchai Srichainak yesterday said the agency could produce up to 1,000 specific pathogen-free (SPF) eggs a day for vaccine development.
He said the GPO and the department were discussing the feasibility of increasing the production and supply of SPF eggs. "We're seeking ways to find local hygienic egg suppliers to help in the manufacture of vaccines as the time it takes to ship supplies from overseas could affect the eggs and the vaccine production," Mr Somchai said.
SPF eggs are now being imported from Germany and the US.
Mr Somchai said the GPO at first planned to use hygienic eggs from local poultry producers such as CP and Saha Farm to cultivate the virus. But their technologies were not tailored for SPF egg production unlike those from the Livestock Department.
However, imported eggs were still needed for vaccine production as an average of 1,500 SPF eggs were used to manufacture each batch of vaccine.
GPO chairman Vichai Chokewiwat said a committee overseeing human vaccine trials would meet tomorrow to decide if the trials should be delayed. They were scheduled to start on Sept 24.
A report of a lung infection in one of 12 guinea pigs being used in pre-trial tests had raised concerns, although studies had shown the flu vaccine did not cause the problem.
Postponing the human trials would set back the availability of the vaccine which was scheduled for January.
The Public Health Ministry yesterday confirmed 11 new deaths from the type-A (H1N1) flu, bringing the country's death toll since the outbreak began to 153, deputy permanent secretary for health Paijit Varachit said.:tiphat:http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/23977/gpo-seeks-hygienic-eggs-to-make-flu-jab