BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- The World Health Organization is calling on developed countries help research and develop a bird flu vaccine.

    Senior WHO official Klaus Stohr told a WHO meeting on the prevention of bird flu in Geneva that private pharmaceutical companies can't afford the huge cost of developing a vaccine, China Radio International reported on Saturday.

    He says the amount of money needed for this research is estimated to be as high as 11 million Euros

    The official urges developed countries to share the expense by using public funding, and to encourage more companies to join in the research program.

    Only two pharmaceutical companies, Chiron Corp in Britain and Aventis-Pasteur in France, have been working on a potential vaccine.

    (CRIENGLISH.com)