Across Asia: Australia

Bird flu vaccine approved

Australia said yesterday it had approved the first locally made vaccine to protect humans from future bird flu, giving the nod to Panvax manufactured by CSL.

"The vaccine, Panvax, protects humans against the H5N1 influenza virus, which has been responsible for outbreaks of bird flu in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa," Health Minister Nicola Roxon said in a statement.