China has developed two new types of H5 avian influenza vaccines, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

The ministry has approved batch production of these two types of vaccine to launch an enlarged regional experiment, said a ministry official.

The new types, H5N1 inactivated vaccine and recombinant fowl pox vaccine, were developed by the Animal Influenza Key Lab under the ministry and the State Avian Influenza Reference Lab.

Compared with the currently used inactivated vaccine, the new types of vaccine have higher antigen content and could provide longer protection for those vaccinated, said experts.

The new vaccines have recently passed the appraisal by the State Agricultural Trans-gene Biological Safety Commission and the Animal Medicine Appraisal Commission, said the ministry official.

(Xinhua News Agency March 11, 2004)