Global health experts meeting in Geneva said yesterday it would be possible to produce 900 million doses of a new vaccine against a pandemic flu outbreak, but even that would not be enough to meet demand.
Some 400 experts meeting at the World Health Organisation in Geneva, including Irish representatives, want to build up regional stockpiles of antiviral drugs to counter a possible pandemic that could travel around the world in three to four months.
Dr Klaus Stohr, team co-ordinator of the WHO's influenza programme, said 900 million vaccines within eight months would not reach the target of global, equitable and timely access.
"One needs enough vaccine for 6.4 billion people and that is currently not on the cards," he said.
Controlling the spread of avian flu must be the priority, but experts also called for preparations in case the virus mutates into one that could cause a human pandemic.