Taiwan could produce H7N9 vaccine within 2 months: official

Want China Times, CNA and Staff Reporter 2013-04-09

A shot in the arm for bird flu vaccine hopes? (Photo/China Times)

Once Taiwan obtains samples of the new H7N9 bird flu virus, it will be able to produce vaccines within two months, a health official said Monday.

Department of Health deputy minister Lin Tzou-yien said there are three ways to obtain the H7N9 virus — through the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, and China.

He said that if the virus comes from China, it will take two months to purify and screen it before vaccine production can begin. If, however, it can be obtained from the WHO or the CDC, then production can begin immediately.

"Taiwan is capable of completing production and starting clinical tests in six to eight weeks," he said.

He noted that currently, the H7N9 situation in China is still at the level-three stage (animal and limited human infection, with no human-to-human infection).

Should it be upgraded to level four (human-to-human infection and continuous community infection), the Executive Yuan will issue an emergency decree.

In such a scenario, vaccine production will skip the two-stage human tests that constitute normal procedure, Lin said.

The government will also prioritize vaccination for high-risk groups such as those in regular contact with poultry and front-line medical personnel.

Whether to include Taiwanese businessmen operating in H7N9-affected areas of China will need further assessment, Lin added.

The CDC has listed the Chinese provinces of Jiangsu and Anhui, as well as the cities of Shanghai and Nanjing, as areas affected by the H7N9 virus.

The health department also said that two Taiwanese epidemiologists that traveled to Shanghai over the weekend to learn more about China's strategy for combating the new bird flu strain will also have discussions with the Chinese authorities about obtaining the H7N9 virus.

China has confirmed 24 cases of H7N9 flu, with seven deaths so far.