The UK Health Security Agency has today said the Government has struck a deal to secure over five million doses of human H5 influenza vaccine but insisted a decision on how much to send to community pharmacies depends “on the nature of the scenario we are presented with.” 

The UKHSA told Independent Community Pharmacist it will store doses of the vaccine, which will be manufactured by the UK-based company CSL Seqirus UK Limited, “until they are needed.”

The UKHSA, who insisted it could not reveal where the doses would be stored for security reasons, said the vaccine is “based on a current H5 avian influenza virus.” 

“The purchase has been made as part of long-established plans to boost the UK’s access to vaccines for a wider range of pathogens of pandemic potential,” it said, adding there was “no evidence” at present that the virus has started spreading among humans.

“The influenza A(H5N1) virus has been causing a prolonged global outbreak, primarily in birds, over the past few years. The procurement will strengthen the UK’s preparedness for a H5 influenza originated pandemic by ensuring that vaccines are immediately available, while a pandemic specific vaccine is made ready.”

The UKHSA also said the Government has an “advance purchase agreement for pandemic vaccines if or when they are needed” which would be “tailored to combat the specific pandemic flu strain identified at the time.”

The UKHSA’s emerging infection lead Dr Meera Chand said: “It is important for us to be prepared against a range of different influenza viruses that may pose human health risks. Early access to vaccines saves lives. Adding H5 vaccines to the interventions already available to us will help us to be ready for a wider range of threats.”