WHO: 3bln A/H1N1 flu vaccine doses available yearly

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The World Health Organization says Pharmaceutical companies will be able to produce about 3 billion doses of the A/H1N1 flu vaccine a year, much fewer than the 5 billion previously expected.

The WHO says 3 billion doses won't be enough to cover the entire global population in the first year. Still, the WHO believes not everyone will need vaccination.

Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, Director, Initiative for Vaccine Research, WTO, said, "We are lucky the pandemic is moderate in severity, that most people experience mild illness and recover spontaneously."

Early clinical data shows healthy adults and older children require only a single dose of vaccine rather than two.

Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, Director, Initiative for Vaccine Research, WTO, said, "In the vast majority of people it seems one dose will be sufficient. The big impact is that with the same dose of vaccine we will be able to immunize twice as many people."

The WHO says ensuring poorer countries receive sufficient vaccines remains one of the main challenges. Because much of the global supply has been reserved by richer nations.

Addressing concerns about the safety of the pandemic vaccine, the WHO says trials to date suggest it is as safe as a regular seasonal flu shot.