Indonesia firm on bird flu virus dispute »

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  STONERS

  March 27, 2007, 1:11 a.m.

  He suggested several solutions to ensure a fairer distribution of the vaccine, among them, creating a stockpile of vaccines for use in developing countries and transferring technology so they can produce their own vaccines.

  "I am not asking for laboratories or vaccines, I am demanding our rights as a nation," Supari said. "If (these talks) end in deadlock, don't blame me."

  To ensure it has access to a bird flu vaccine, Indonesia has reached a tentative agreement with U.S. drug manufacturer Baxter Healthcare Corp. Under the deal, Indonesia would provide samples of the virus in exchange for Baxter's expertise in vaccine production. Indonesia would stockpile the vaccine for use in case there is a major human outbreak.

  The United States urged Indonesia to resume sharing samples with the WHO.
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  nostalgia

  March 27, 2007, 11:11 a.m.

  Good grief!

  "health minister refused to share bird flu samples with the

  World Health Organization, saying Tuesday she wanted a guarantee the virus would not be used to make unaffordable commercial vaccines."

  Maybe the Indonesian govt should start their own pharmaceutical company. Talk about putting your own citizens at risk! Wonder if she even has a clue about the cost of producing a vaccine? Most of the poorer nations get subsidies anyway.

  The real problem with bird flu is mutation. If a vaccine is developed and the strain mutates, another vaccine must be produced.

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