H1N1 vaccines low stability

BANGKOK, 22 October 2009 (NNT) – The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) is trying to fix the problem of low stability of H1N1 vaccines while assuring that 2 million doses of the vaccines will arrive in Thailand in December.

GPO Board Chairperson MD Vichai Chokewiwat said research on H1N1 vaccines had seen much progress and 10 lots of them had been produced so far. However, he said the vaccines’ stability was still low and a virus contamination analysis was needed before human trials were conducted. MD Vichai said the vaccines must be 100% safe before they were used with humans and therefore no exact date could be set for their availability.

The GPO chairperson said there was no need for Thailand to reduce its demand for H1N1 vaccines since the organization had bought 3 million doses from foreign countries. Priorities for vaccine receivers will be considered afterward.