Flu crisis plans unveiled

The Ministry of Health will reveal today how it plans to combat the country's flu vaccine shortage.

Officials met French manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur yesterday to discuss problems with the vaccine's effectiveness, as well as holding crisis talks with an expert advisory group to try to prevent a flu epidemic this winter.

Dr Don Matheson, deputy director-general of public health, said the ministry was seeking more information from Sanofi Pasteur and further expert advice.

It expected to be able to announce its approach to the vaccine programme this afternoon.

Dr Matheson reinforced earlier statements by the ministry that although the delay was inconvenient it should not affect the overall vaccination programme.

The programme involves about 700,000 doses of flu vaccine each year and usually begins in late March. It targets the elderly, people with chronic respiratory disease and health workers.

The Weekend Herald reported the flu vaccine had been delayed after Sanofi Pasteur discovered that, although the vaccine was effective against two of the three strains of the flu most likely to be in circulation in New Zealand, it may not protect people against the third strain, known as A/Wellington/2004(H3N2).

The delay prompted warnings of a potential health crisis by National health spokesman Paul Hutchison.

Grey Power feared hospitals could see big increases in admissions of the elderly.

But Health Minister Annette King said the ministry was working on alternatives.

Your questions answered on the flu vaccine

Influenza strains change each year, and each year the World Health Organisation selects strains for inclusion in vaccines.

What is the problem with this year's vaccine?

The vaccine used in the Southern Hemisphere is meant to protect against three strains of flu, known as A/Wellington/2004(H3N2), A/New Caledonia/1999 (H1N1) and B/Shanghai/2002. But the French manufacturer of the vaccine, Sanofi Pasteur, has found that, although the vaccine is effective against two of the strains, it may not protect people against the Wellington strain.

How does the company know the vaccine may not be effective against the Wellington strain?

The amount of virus particle in the vaccine has been found to be low.

What more do we know about the Wellington strain?

It is closely related to other forms of influenza and first appeared last year.

Like other forms, it produces a high fever and cough, and can lead to pneumonia.

It has been linked with several deaths.

Could the current vaccine be used as it is?

This is what health officials are meeting to discuss. Epidemiologists believe about 43 per cent of recent New Zealand flu cases were the result of the Wellington strain or variants of it.