The National Medical Stockpile is ready to support Bird flu (avian influenza) preparedness if required.
Visit the Australian Centre for Disease Control and birdflu.gov.au for more information about birdflu, including current advice.
What the stockpile is
The stockpile holds specialised medical supplies for emergencies. It can include:
- medicines
- vaccines
- antiviral medicines
- antidotes
- some personal protective equipment.
The stockpile holds specialised products that may be hard to get quickly in an emergency.
Supplies are stored in secure locations across Australia. We do not publish details about what is in the stockpile for security reasons.
The stockpile is not a general medical supply service. Members of the public, health services and businesses cannot request supplies directly.
Requests for access to the stockpile must come through the relevant state or territory Chief Health Officer, or another authorised state or territory health official.
The stockpile supports state and territory emergency responses. It does not replace local planning, clinical care, staffing, delivery or on-the-ground response work.
Why the stockpile is important
During a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incident, or an influenza pandemic, normal supply chains may not be able to meet urgent demand. The National Medical Stockpile helps provide specific emergency supplies when there is a clear national need.
The stockpile also helps Australia prepare for pandemic influenza. A long-term arrangement with CSL Seqirus allows the Australian Government to direct rapid manufacture of pandemic influenza vaccines in Australia if a pandemic is declared.
The stockpile holds some pre-pandemic influenza vaccines. These vaccines can support an early, targeted response for frontline health workers and other priority groups, based on expert public health advice.
The stockpile also holds antiviral medicines for use during an influenza pandemic. These medicines may support early treatment and outbreak management while a vaccine for the specific virus is made.
What the stockpile does
The National Medical Stockpile helps Australia respond to serious health emergencies by keeping specialised medical supplies ready for use.
It supports rapid access to supplies that may be needed during a pandemic or a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incident.
The stockpile does not cover every health threat, product or emergency.
It does not cover routine medical supplies, usual supply shortages, hospital operations, staffing, clinical care or local delivery.
States and territories are responsible for local emergency planning and response. The stockpile supports this work but does not replace it.
How we keep the stockpile ready
We work with health, security and logistics partners to keep the stockpile ready.
We do this by:
- reviewing supplies as threats, evidence and public health advice change
- keeping specialised medicines, vaccines, antiviral medicines, antidotes and some personal protective equipment
- supporting preparedness for pandemics and chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents
- managing secure storage, stock rotation and delivery arrangements
- working with states and territories to understand emergency response needs.
How supplies are released
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing decides when supplies can be released for an emergency. The decision is based on public health advice, the type of emergency and the role of the stockpile.
Requests for supplies must come through the relevant state or territory Chief Health Officer, or another authorised state or territory health official. Members of the public, health services and businesses cannot request supplies directly.
After supplies are released, states and territories manage local delivery, clinical use, staffing and the on-the-ground response.
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