Hong Kong should be a world vaccine producer, not consumer
Vaccination remains man's most effective weapon against infectious diseases. Influenza A(H1N1), or swine flu, is no exception. Drugs such as Tamiflu or Relenza are less effective over time as the virus will eventually become resistant. Consequently, the world looks to vaccination as its main defence against this pandemic.
The Hong Kong government's own pandemic plan includes buying five million doses of swine flu vaccine. While laudable, this order is unlikely to be filled. The first bidding failed to award any supply contract. The World Health Organisation estimates that the world's total production capacity for flu vaccine is only three billion doses at best, that is, only one dose each for half of the world's population. If this swine flu becomes more widespread in coming months, as anticipated, the world's health authorities are likely to be left short.
Most vaccine production is in developed economies such as Australia, North America, the European Union, and Japan. China once had small domestic facilities but has recently invested heavily to increase its own capacity and to avoid dependence on foreign supply. Thanks to 'one country, two systems', this 'made in China' swine flu vaccine is earmarked for 'internal consumption' only. Therefore, we are left to the mercy of the few international manufacturers such as Sanofi Pasteur or GlaxoSmithKline. Also, the delivery date will very much depend on their priority list.
It is time to call for government action to establish Hong Kong as a major vaccine producer and supplier. This should be done, not simply to protect us against this current threat of a swine flu pandemic but to implement the government's own stated goals of economic diversification. Singapore and South Korea have already started, or are planning to make their own vaccines as they realise the double benefit of having the capability and capacity in vaccine production for national security, as well as promoting their own domestic biotech industry and export growth.
Hong Kong's advantage in this field is obvious: southern China is recognised as the epicentre of most new or emerging infectious diseases. Its virus strains are used by scientists to develop vaccines, so there is a constant supply on its doorstep.
Hong Kong already has the expertise, capital and means to develop a leading vaccine research and production centre second to none. It just requires the political will from our government to lead the way. Merely relying on the existing agencies such as the Department of Health or Innovation and Technology Commission is not enough, as both agencies fail to take any substantial initiatives.
