London, July 15: The world’s top health official cast doubt over plans to vaccinate millions of people against the “unstoppable” swine flu pandemic, saying immunisations would not be available for months.
The comments by World Health Organization chief Margaret Chan came as Australia reported a spike in cases and Argentina dramatically upped its toll of those killed by the virus from 94 to 137 over the last three days.
Chan told the Guardian newspaper that a vaccine would not be available for several months, despite statements from health officials in Britain that the first stocks would start arriving in August.
“There’s no vaccine. One should be available soon, in August. But having a vaccine available is not the same as having a vaccine that has proven safe,” Chan said.
“Clinical trial data will not be available for another two to three months,” she added.
With the global death toll from A(H1N1) now reaching at least 429, WHO director of vaccine research Marie-Paul Kieny had said Monday that a swine flu vaccine should be available as early as September.
Chan’s comments cast doubt on plans announced by countries around the world to start vaccinating those most at risk of contracting swine flu as early as next month.
–Agencies