New Delhi: The UK government secured a contract for more than 5 million doses of human H5 influenza vaccine, bolstering the country’s pandemic preparedness, the government announced Tuesday.
According to the government’s release, CSL Seqirus UK Limited, a UK-based healthcare company will manufacture the vaccine from a current H5 avian influenza virus. The procurement is part of long-standing plans to enhance the UK’s access to vaccines for a wider range of pathogens with pandemic potential.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) highlighted the importance of preparedness against various influenza viruses that could pose human health risks. Dr. Meera Chand, Emerging Infection Lead at the UKHSA, noted that early access to vaccines is crucial in saving lives. The addition of H5 vaccines to the existing interventions will enhance the UK’s ability to respond to a broader range of threats, she said.
“The influenza A(H5N1) virus has been causing a prolonged global outbreak, primarily affecting birds, for several years,” Chand noted. “The human H5 influenza vaccine would only be deployed if the virus starts spreading among humans, a scenario for which there is currently no evidence.”
Andrew Gwynne, minister for public health and prevention, said the UK is committed to being prepared and ready to respond to any current and future health threats. Including the H5 vaccine in the stockpile is one step in the UK’s preparedness plans to improve readiness to respond to a range of emerging health threats and protect people’s lives and livelihoods, he said.
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