Government orders test bird flu vaccine

THE Government has ordered more than 400,000 doses of a test human vaccine against the deadly H5N1 strain.

Minister of State at the Health Department Brian Lenihan confirmed Irish officials are working with the British authorities to acquire the vaccine against bird flu in humans. The unlicensed vaccine will be given to health workers and other essential staff if there is a pandemic in Ireland.

Mr Lenihan said that planning was taking place both within the HSE and at Government level.