Call for global flu vaccine stockpiling in Hong Kong

A stockpile of influenza vaccines should be built up in Hong Kong to help resolve disputes over their provision between the World Health Organization (WHO) and countries in the developing world, a new report has claimed.

Citing Indonesia's refusal to provide the WHO with further samples of H5N1 human strain of bird flu unless it is given greater access to vaccines in return, the report by two US-based experts called for more than 500 regularly updated does of vaccine to be stored on the island.

The study, published in the journal Public Library of Science, recommended Hong Kong due to its location in the midst of the areas most affected by flu strains, as well as its history of viral infection research.

Authors Laurie Garrett and David Fidler said: "We advocate that the strategic stockpile be fed continuously and its specificity updated based on circulating forms of viruses."

"These objectives would be accomplished through an Advance Market Commitment (AMC) mechanism in which the G-8 nations and Asian powerhouses China, India, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan set aside a fund to guarantee purchase of stockpiled products."

The human strain of bird flu has affected 113 people in Indonesia, with 91 of the cases proving fatal, the WHO indicated.

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