Swine flu vaccine given to Africa whilst Government stockpiles for predicted bird flu pandemic

Huge amounts of swine flu vaccine will be donated to Africa after the pandemic failed to reach the epic proportions predicted.

Initially, the Government ordered enough of the vaccine to protect the entire population from swine flu, but as assessment and evidence of the pandemic came in, experts admitted that vaccinating the entire population would not be necessary.

The contract with Baxter for vaccine has already been cancelled and the orders with GSK stopped at 34.8 million doses.

Though some of the vaccine will be kept in reserve and priority groups including pregnant women will continue to be vaccinated, a whopping 3.8 million doses of surplus vaccine will be donated to the World Health Organisation to aid Africa.

The Government is still stockpiling the antiviral drug Relenza and vaccine for a bird flu pandemic from GSK.

Health Secretary Andy Burnham, said: “The probability of a “bird flu” pandemic, which is likely to be more severe than swine flu, has not diminished.

“This agreement means we are ready if a “bird flu” pandemic occured, and allows us to maintain our status as one of the most prepared countries in the world.”