More than five million doses of a vaccine are being prepared in the UK to combat any potential bird flu pandemic.
The jab – the human H5 influenza vaccine – is only intended for use if the virus spreads among humans.
There is no evidence at this stage of human-to-human transmission, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which has secured a contract for the doses.
The agency said the purchase is part of “long-established plans” to boost the UK’s access to vaccines “for a wider range of pathogens of pandemic potential”.
Dr Meera Chand, emerging infection lead at the agency, said “early access to vaccines saves lives”.
“It is important for us to be prepared against a range of different influenza viruses that may pose human health risks,” she added.
“Adding H5 vaccines to the interventions already available to us will help us to be ready for a wider range of threats.”
There are different types of the virus, with one causing a “prolonged global outbreak” over the past few years primarily in birds, the UKHSA said.
The vaccine will be manufactured in the UK, by healthcare company CSL Seqirus UK Limited.
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