DOH exec: A(H1N1) vaccine may be delayed to January

The release of the vaccine being developed to counter A(H1N1) influenza might be delayed to January 2010, a health official said Monday. National Epidemiology Center (NEC) head Dr. Eric Tayag said there is need to conduct more tests to make sure the vaccine would not cause new problems to its users. NEC is an attached agency of the Department of Health (DOH). "Yan ang pinaka-optimistic na available, October. Ang iba nagdududa baka sa January pa available. Kung January pa available baka huli na para sa bansang magkakaroon ng flu season sa katapusan ng taon," Tayag said in an interview on dwIZ radio. (October is a very optimistic timetable for the vaccine. But some already entertain doubts that the vaccine will not be available until January 2010. If that is so, it may be too late for some countries with flu season that lasts until the end of the year) Earlier, health officials estimated that the vaccine against A(H1N1) may be completed by October this year. Tayag said there are several manufacturers working on the vaccine using specimens provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). "Ang nangyayari, yung mga virus specimen natin pinadadala ng WHO sa manufacturer para gumawa (Virus specimens from the WHO are sent to manufacturers to make the vaccine)," he said. But he said there would have to be more testings to ensure that the vaccine has no side effects. "Tine-test nila dito kung ito ay mabisa, may pagbabantay para sa mabibigyan ng bakuna ire-report kung may side effect (There will have to be testing to make sure the vaccine does not have side effects)," he said. In the meantime, Tayag reiterated his appeal to the public to take necessary precautions once they have symptoms of influenza as this may indicate flu or dengue. - GMANews.TV