Answering questions at a press conference, Wang said the date was based on information from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Even if the vaccine is produced, it does not mean a 100 percent prevention rate, said Wang, according to statistics from the United States, the chances for human-use vaccine to control virus average to 56 percent.

It's important to take integrative measures to control the epidemic instead of pinning too much hope on the vaccine, Wang said.

China has issued emergency programs to prevent bird flu from spreading into human beings before the Spring Festival. Any human patients spotted will be isolated immediately and those having close contact with them will be traced down and receive medical observation.

This is the critical step to control the epidemic, Wang added.

(Xinhua News Agency February 5, 2004)