7 Jul 2009

Pacific states to have access to new NZ flu vaccine supply

8:53 pm on 7 July 2009

New Zealand's new vaccine supply for protecting frontline health and emergency staff against swine flu is also to be made available to the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau.

The government has bought 300,000 new doses of the vaccine.

It's not expected to be given to key workers until the vaccine is licensed by December, but if the pandemic worsens, these staff would have access to it before it's fully licensed.

New Zealand's deputy director of Public Health, Dr Fran McGrath, says the three island states will receive the vaccine on a pro-rata basis.

"There's not yet been a decision about the priority groups for the vaccination programme. In general, it's going to be frontline workers and those providing emergency services. The coverage for these three Pacific countries would be the same as for New Zealand."

Fran McGrath says it's unclear when the vaccine will be delivered to these nations.

The Cooks Islands has so far three confirmed swine flu cases, all in returning travellers.

Meanwhile, New Caledonia has 24, and Fiji 27 cases of swine flu.

There are also confirmed cases in Palau, Guam, French Polynesia, Samoa, American Samoa and Papua New Guinea.