Panel mulls over risks of making flu vaccine

The Animal Husbandry department is analysing the need and risks in creating an indigenous vaccine for livestock — it would involve getting the virus into the country.

A six-member advisory committee chaired by DDG animal sciences V.K. Taneja, has been set up in the Agriculture ministry to look into the issue of creating a vaccine and also the possibility of importing the vaccine from outside. ‘‘The committee will look into the feasibility of importing the vaccine and research and development on a vaccine in India,’’ said animal husbandry secretary P.M.A. Hakeem.

The committee will look into the dangers of bringing the vaccine into the country. ‘‘The committee is a highly techncial one and will assess all the risks and options,’’ said Bandopadhyay.

Till last year, the Food and Agriculture Organisation had been against vaccination but when the flu started spreading vaccination soon became a viable option. But the committee will also look into the ramification of importing the vaccine specially since the virus is mutating and the effectiveness of a vaccine from outside will have to be seen.