Britain is to place contracts with vaccine manufacturers to supply 120m doses, two for every person in the population, to combat a possible pandemic of bird flu.
Health officials believe the move would help put Britain near the front of the queue if and when the global crisis strikes. However, there would still be a four- to six-month delay between identifying a pandemic flu strain and stocks of the vaccine becoming available.
The drug could still protect millions of people as any pandemic is likely to come in cycles lasting three to five months. The government, in its revised pandemic plan issued yesterday, estimates there would be around 50,000 deaths in Britain but concedes there could more than 700,000.
The new plan came as it emerged that Roche, the makers of Tamiflu, the main antiviral being stockpiled around the world, is considering granting licences to other manufacturers to help speed up emergency production. The Swiss company will not give up its patent on the drug, which lasts until 2016, although some countries have hinted they might bypass this to boost preparations. A company in India and the Thai government have suggested they might try to produce generic versions of what will be the main defence against any outbreaks while scientists try to develop a relevant vaccine.
Sir Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer, said it was vital that people recognised the difference between the avian flu that has killed millions of birds and 60 people in south-east Asia and a human strain. "There is absolutely no chance of a chicken in Romania affecting a person in Burnley," he said.
Officials would negotiate for the best possible price in new vaccine deals. "We cannot prevent a flu pandemic, but we can reduce its impact. One of the most effective counter-measures we can take ... is to make sure we develop and manufacture a vaccine as quickly as possible."
The arrival of an effective vaccine would not be too late. "It would help a lot of people who would otherwise have got [pandemic] flu. It is going to be around for quite a long time and hopefully over time it will lose its virulence."
Sir Liam also issued advice to reduce the spread of disease in the event of a pandemic, including telling people to cover their noses and mouths when coughing or sneezing, use a tissue, and bag and bin these after use. People should avoid non-essential travel and large crowds. Those with symptoms should stay at home, rest and drink plenty of fluids.
Germany ordered farmers to keep poultry inside yesterday as a precaution against the bird flu. China said about 2,600 birds had died of the disease in the north. More birds from Romania's Danube delta tested positive for H5N1. Birds have also tested positive in Turkey, and on Tuesday a suspected case was found on a Greek island. Russian news agencies reported that nearly 300 chickens, geese and ducks had been found dead over the weekend.