Bio Farma produces birdflu vaccines in 2011

"In the initial stage, seasonal birdflu vaccines will be produced starting next year, and preparations will be made for birdflu vaccine production for humans in anticipation of a birdflu pandemic," Planning and Development Director of PT Bio Farma Iskandar said on the sidelines of the granting of scholarships for 176 students in Bandung on Sunday.

Iskandar disclosed that birdflu vaccine production for humans will need an investment of Rp 400 billion to cover the technology, infrastructure and human resources.

"It is a big investment indeed, but it must be done," he said.

For the time being, the 20 million doses will be for domestic consumption, which is actually too small compared to the total population in Indonesia.

Right now PT Bio Farma is only producing H2N2 vaccines for fowls.

"If necessary, seasonal birdflu vaccines could be transformed with birdflu virus found in Indonesia. These types of birdflu vaccines are meant for haj pilgrims," he said.

He said that ...