NZ - H1N1 vaccine arrives, Medsafe will test first

[Sally Furniss]

H1N1 vaccine to be imported into NZ

Published: 4:34PM Monday July 06, 2009

Source: Newstalk ZB/OEN News

H1N1 vaccine to be imported into NZ (Source: ONE News)


The government is spending millions of dollars to import a swine flu vaccination for front line health workers - even though it has not been licensed yet.

It has ordered 300,000 doses of the vaccine but it is unlikely to be available until December.

The targeted campaign aimed at supporting frontline services in health, emergency and other critical services.

Prime Minister John Key says that is enough to give 150,000 people the required two doses.

Key says it is important people at the frontline can feel safe.

He says he wants to be in a position of having the vaccine and not needing it, rather than the other way around.

Global demand for the vaccine is high and Key says it was important to get in quick and get enough for the priority group of New Zealanders.

The news comes as fears over swine flu rise, following news three New Zealanders have died from the illness.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says the vaccine have to be licensed by Medsafe in New Zealand before it's used.

Ryall says no swine flu vaccination has been licensed anywhere in the world but he expects the doses being bought to get the nod by December.

"What we've done, is taken public health officials recommendation to get the strategic stock in place for once it is licensed, and that's expected to be by December," says Ryall.

In the meantime, concerned calls are flooding into the Healthline call centre.

On Sunday, the phones rang 2,300 times.

The swine flu pandemic is expected to last for up to two years.

There are currently more than 1,000 people in New Zealand with the virus.

http://tvnz.co.nz/health-news/h1n1-vaccine-imported-into-nz-2830781

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: H1N1 vaccine to be imported into NZ

Re: H1N1 vaccine to be imported into NZ

Govt. secures strategic stock of swine flu vaccine

Monday, 6 July 2009, 4:36 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Government Hon Tony Ryall Minister of Health
6 July 2009
Govt. secures strategic stock of swine flu vaccine

The Government has agreed in principle to offer frontline health staff and emergency personnel vaccination against Swine Flu, the new pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus.

The Ministry of Health has ordered an initial supply of 300,000 doses of a vaccine from Baxter Healthcare, under one of its two existing agreements for pandemic influenza vaccine. This is sufficient for 150,000 workers.

Health Minister Tony Ryall said having the vaccine is primarily an insurance policy. "We want to be in the position of having the vaccine and not needing it, rather than the other way around."

“Global demand for vaccines is high, so we have secured sufficient vaccine for this priority group of New Zealanders. In addition to this purchase we have a long-standing option to access more vaccine if required under existing supply agreements with Australian vaccine maker CSL."

The vaccine is due for delivery within the month but it will not be used for an immunisation programme unless it is licensed by Medsafe.

“Before it can be used, the vaccine has to be assessed by Medsafe in New Zealand. Medsafe will review data from clinical trials to determine the vaccine’s quality, safety and effectiveness. A licensing decision is expected by the end of this year. The pandemic could last up to 18 months to two years so this purchase is strategic."

Mr Ryall said that currently the new pandemic influenza virus was resulting in a mild illness for most people.

“Vaccination is an important tool, but not the only tool in the country's armoury against this new virus.”

“To re-emphasise, tried and proven hygiene measures are our first line of defence: frequent and thorough hand washing and drying; covering coughs and sneezes and staying away from other people if you’re sick are simple steps everyone can take to protect themselves and the wider community."

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0907/S00092.htm

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: H1N1 vaccine to be imported into NZ

Re: H1N1 vaccine to be imported into NZ

NZ will have to wait for new swine flu vaccine

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 5:24p.m.

By Jane Luscombe

The United States is about to launch its biggest ever immunisation campaign, against swine flu.

The US Federal Drug Administration has just approved a vaccine, meaning 45 million doses can now be distributed by drug companies.

?There?s no doubt that we?re in a race: the virus versus the vaccine. The sooner we can get the vaccine and get it into people the more likely we are to kind of truncate this epidemic,? says Dr William Schaffner, an infectious diseases expert.

But New Zealanders will have to wait months before the vaccination is available here.

The first shipment arrived earlier this month but it must go through clinical trials before it can be licensed for use by Medsafe.

Latest figures show there have been more than three thousand confirmed cases of swine flu in New Zealand, and 12 people have died as a direct result of the virus.

Many more mild cases have gone unreported.

Research in the US has found the H1N1 virus can stay in the body longer than originally thought, up to seven days after symptoms begin.

?I think we?re learning that this virus is the seasonal virus a little bit on steroids. It seems to be spreading for a more prolonged period of time after people get completely well,? says Dr Schaffner.

Although cases of swine flu are declining here, the Ministry of Health says it is highly likely we will experience another surge at some point.

But the Government still has not decided whether to go ahead with a pandemic immunisation campaign once the vaccine is approved. If it does, frontline health workers will get the first shots early next year.

http://www.3news.co.nz/NZ-will-have...rticleID/121366/Default.aspx?ArticleID=121366