The company was also on track to be able to produce a pandemic vaccine, which is the ultimate objective of the project in Indonesia. However, influenza vaccination is not currently part of the routine immunization programme in Indonesia. Since 2009, Bio Farma has provided seasonal vaccine to immunize Hajj and Umrah pilgrims to Mecca, but this may not be a sufficient domestic market to sustain the manufacture of influenza vaccine. In addition, the annual pilgrimage follows the lunar calendar, and will thus become challenging for the influenza production schedule. Options such as increasing the check details domestic market, producing for neighbouring countries, or

supplying northern and southern hemisphere formulations for other parts of the world, may be explored. This will require political and international support to present the evidence on which the Government Compound Library of Indonesia may make cost-effective decisions. Bio Farma has made significant progress towards its goal to be able to manufacture a pandemic influenza vaccine for the health security of the Indonesian people. This has been possible due to its solid corporate vision, qualified and committed workforce, and broad, inclusive collaboration with all stakeholders. The commitment of a technology partner, Biken Institute of Japan, and of WHO have been instrumental in ensuring Bio Farma’s self-reliance in this issue of immense public health

importance. Funding for this study was provided by WHO. Mahendra Suhardono is an employee of Bio Farma, a state-owned Idoxuridine vaccine manufacturer, and maintained independent scientific control over the study, including data analysis and interpretation of final results. Dori Ugiyadi, Ida Nurnaeni and Imelda Emelia are employees of Bio Farma, a state-owned vaccine manufacturer, and maintained independent scientific control over the study, including data analysis and interpretation of final results. We have no conflict or potential conflict

of interest in this study. Bio Farma expresses its appreciation for the support of its many partners in this project, particularly colleagues at the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprise, its technology partner Biken Institute, Japan, Airlangga University, Indonesia, and WHO. “
“In Mexico, about 14 000 people die each year from acute respiratory infections, including influenza which affects mostly children under 3 and adults over 60 years of age. The recent A(H1N1) influenza pandemic had a severe impact in our country: more than 72 000 cases were diagnosed, of which 1316 died [1]. Preliminary results of a small serum survey carried out by the Ministry of Health indicate that at least 30% of the population was infected during 2009–2010. Although, luckily, the case—fatality rate was relatively low, the health system suffered enormously and emergency services and intensive care units were overcrowded [2] and [3].