WHO to create bird flu vaccine stockpile

The World Health Organisation is working with vaccine makers to move ahead on plans to create a global stockpile of vaccine for the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is working with vaccine makers to move ahead on plans to create a global stockpile of vaccine for the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

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According to a WHO statement on Thursday, several pharmaceutical companies, including GlaxoSmithKline, have expressed their willingness to contribute to the H5N1 global vaccine stockpile, which was requested by the World Health Assembly in May.

"This is another significant step toward creating a global resource to help the world and especially to help developing countries in case of a major outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza," says WHO Director General Margaret Chan.