Bird flu in Switzerland

The Swiss Confederation, usually referred to as Switzerland, is a landlocked Alpine country in Central Europe. It boasts a strong economy, especially in finance and banking. Historically a confederation, the country also has a long tradition of political and military neutrality. Tourism is also one of the main interests of the country and for much of the 20th century, Switzerland was the most powerful economic country in Europe.

Switzerland’s flu drug stockpile sufficient

Thursday, October 19th, 2006

Swiss authorities have announced that the country’s flu drugs provisions should be sufficient in the event of a pandemic. The government has placed an order of 8 million doses of a pre-pandemic vaccine produced by the Anglo-American company GlaxoSmithKline. The cost of the operation is estimated to be around 142 million USD. Stockpiling will commence in January of next year. The vaccination will be voluntary, but the amount of doses is expected to be enough for the immunization of the whole population of 7.4 million.

Posted in Switzerland

Switzerland willing to acquire ‘pre-pandemic’ bird flu vaccine

Friday, June 30th, 2006

Switzerland is ready to place an order for 8 million doses of a new type of vaccine designed to deal with the deadly H5N1 virus and other strains similar to it, in an attempt to prepare for an eventual pandemic affecting the country.

Apparently two vaccine producing companies will be contacted to provide the national stock, which should be supplied by next year, the government announced after a regular cabinet meeting. People living in Switzerland will be offered an initial protection when a flu pandemic breaks out, hopefully enough to allow time for a proper vaccine to be developed within a period of months to tackle the precise bird flu strain of the virus.

Posted in Switzerland