PRODUCTION OF VACCINE

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28372, 3 September 1957, Page 14

PRODUCTION OF VACCINE

Break In Output Explained (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 2. Official discouragement had been largely responsible for the Tasman Vaccine Laboratory discontinuing the production of its vaccine which immunised against Asian influenza, a director of the Upper Hutt company, Mr L. W N. Fitch, said today. He explained that production of the vaccine, developed in the company’s laboratories from a strain of virus sent from Singapore, had ceased after the Health Department’s announcement that it would not buy the vaccine because it possessed no facilities for testing it.

The sudden onslaught of the epidemic, particularly in the North Island especially in Hawke’s Bay. had exhausted all supplies of vaccine built up before the company ceased production.

Production had since been recommended and a limited supply of vaccine would be available this week. A further 5000 doses would be available on September 13, but after that there would only be a limited output.

“Our attitude is not censorious,” Mr Fitch said, emphasising that the Health Department had been perfectly entitled to decide that it. could not purchase locallymade stock because of the absence of facilities for testing. However, he thought the announcement had been interpreted wrongly—that the company’s vaccine was being sold untested. This was incorrect, as the company itself tested the vaccine before making it available. The vaccine had been sold only to doctors, Mr Fitch said.

The supplies the company had built up before ceasing production had been rapidly exhausted by a demand which developed in spite of the Health Department attitude. The decision to stop production had resulted in a loss of three to four weeks’ Output. Now that production had started again, an urgent call had gone to local farmers for fertile eggs, in which the vaccine was cultivated. In the last few days the company had sought up to 10,000 fertile eggs. Pneumonia Death At Tauranga (New Zealand Press Association) TAURANGA, September 2. A man has died at Tauranga from pneumonia which developed after a week’s attack of influenza. The Coroner (Dr. J. W. Y. Miles) said today that the cause of death had been confirmed by post-mor-tem examination, and that no inquest would be necessary. The man was Teu Kaokao Kino, aged 30, a waterfront worker, of Waimapu Pa, married, with four children. He died at 5 a.m. on Sunday. No doctor was called. Nurse Aid Dies (New Zealand Press Association) WHANGAREI, September 2. A nurse aid at the Kawakawa Public Hospital died suddenly at the nurses' home last night, and the cause of death is believed to be Asian influenza. Mr D. A. Williams reported this to the Northland Hospital Board today. He gave the girl’s name as Miss Veronica Brown. The board decided to send a letter of sympathy to the girl’s parents. Epidemic Abating In Borstal (New Zealand Press Association) INVERCARGILL, September 2. Only nine inmates at the Invercargill Borstal Institution were in bed this morning with influenza. The deputy superintendent (Mr S. M. A. Ronald) said that many of the other inmates who had become ill last week were now convalescing. No complications had set in, and every precaution was being taken. Because of the situation no work was being carried out, he said. Mr T L W. D. Blake, the superintendent, is still in hospital after being admitted last week with pneumonia. His condition is improving. Seventeen members of the staff were off today with influenza. On. Friday afternoon the figure was up to 27. The four warders who were rushed from Paparua Prison late last week are to be retained in the meantime.