This is a transcript from PM. The program is broadcast around Australia at 5:10pm on Radio National and 6:10pm on ABC Local Radio.
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MARK COLVIN: A worrying new research paper has been published in the United States.
It proves that H5N1 bird flu, which has so far only killed people in its pure form is capable of combining with conventional human flu viruses.
A mutated virus combining human flu and bird flu is the nightmare strain which scientists fear could create a worldwide pandemic.
The research was conducted in a laboratory by the US Centers for Disease Control.
Jeff Waters reports.
Comment: Unfortunately, the situation is not as clear cut as made out in this article. There are many opinions that the HPV vaccine's benefit is modest and not worth the risk and cost. Plus, there are a lot of reported cases with adverse side effects (here and here). And the disease is not even contagious. So why is the push for more and more vaccines onto young children?