Surabaya, E.Java (ANTARA News) - Indonesia is ready to produce H5N1 (bird flu) vaccine following the transfer of an H5N1 seed producing vaccine, "A/Indonesia/Unair/2005" from the Surabaya-based Airlangga University, the welfare affairs minister said.

Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono made the statement here on Sunday, adding that Unair is the only university in the country for avian flu research.

Minister Laksono who was accompanied among others by deputy education minister Prof Fasli Jalal and Unair rector Prof Fasich Apt, said seed vaccine production for human beings still relies on state-run pharmaceutical maker PT Bio Farma.

H5N1 vaccine is cheaper if it is produced locally, the minister said.

Therefore, Laksono hoped PT Bio Farma will soon produce H5N1 vaccine for human beings.

In addition, samples from Airlangga University`s research should not be taken abroad, because it is needed for local consumption, and the equipment, buildings, and the research resources belong to the Indonesian people, the minister added.(*)


Editor: Ruslan Burhani
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