New Zealand Government Orders 300,000 Doses of Untested, Unlicensed Swine Flu Vaccine for Health Workers
July 6th, 2009Via: TVNZ:
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.
