Swine flu vaccine's future is uncertain

The Health Ministry has confirmed 12 new cases of swine flu, bringing the total in the Czech Republic to 116.

The latest figures come amid speculation that future vaccines manufactured in the Czech Republic would not actually be available here.

None of the new cases of swine flu were a result of transmission within the Czech Republic. All 12 of the infected were returning from holidays or visits to the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain and Greece.

The United Kingdom has the highest toll in the European Union with more than 10,000 infected. The Health Ministry said none of the new cases was serious and that all were expected to make a full recovery.

Meanwhile, U.S. pharmaceutical firm Baxter is working on a possible vaccine at its plant in Bohumil, central Bohemia. But the company expressed doubts that any future vaccine manufactured from the plant would be distributed here.

"No contract for the delivery of vaccines between Baxter and the Health Ministry has been concluded," media spokeswoman Jana Čechová told the Czech News Agency.

Since swine flu was declared a global pandemic in June, billions of dollars have been poured into a global hunt for a vaccine.

Presently, swine flu is treated with antiviral drugs like Tamiflu. While these battle symptoms, they must be administered in the early stages of the illness and are not a vaccine. Australia seems to be leading the race to develop a vaccine and health officials there are hopeful that one will be ready by October. The Australian government has said frontline medical staff, pregnant women and indigenous Australians are priorities for immunization.

Swine flu numbers in the Northern Hemisphere are expected to surge in winter, the traditional flu season. But there are concerns that, in the rush for a vaccine, safety could be compromised.

"Having a vaccine available is not the same as having a vaccine that has been proven safe," Dr. Margaret Chan, director general of the World Health Organization, said.

It takes several months to make flu vaccines, which are cultured using chicken eggs. The European Medicines Agency said the fast-tracked approval procedure has involved trials of a "mock-up" vaccine and that the speed would not compromise patient safety.

"The vaccines are authorized with a detailed risk management plan," the agency said.

Tom Clifford can be reached at
tclifford@praguepost.com