Even though The World Health Organization (WHO) says mass bird flu vaccinations is not necessary and experts disagree about whether bird vaccination is an effective way to prevent the spread of H5N1 the Icelandic directorate of health has bought 10.000 units of a bird flu vaccine. The vaccine fights the virus H5N1 and will be used if the bird flu is detected in Iceland and is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The Vaccine will be used as ordered by the Directorate of health when needed, no exact usage plans have been issued.
The Directorate of Health is a government agency headed by the Medical Director of Health. Its five divisions are responsible for administration, public health and clinical quality, infectious disease control, health statistics, and finance.