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Flu Vaccine To Be Made Year-Round To Prepare For Pandemic
POSTED: 9:29 am EST November 10,
2004
The only supplier of flu shots in the United States says it's won a $10 million federal contract to gear up for year-round vaccine production.
It won't affect the current flu shot shortage but is designed to counter a more dangerous threat: a flu strain for which people have no immunity.
"The existing flu vaccine manufacturing system is not adequate to meet the nation's needs in the event of a flu pandemic or a shortage," Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said. "This is an important step toward protecting Americans should a flu pandemic break out."Flu vaccine comes from chicken eggs produced seasonally. The Aventis Pasteur contract will allow it to maintain chickens that lay year-round. That means a constant supply of eggs for making new vaccine should a killer flu appear.The company also will make a potential pandemic vaccine once a year from a virus identified by federal health officials.The move comes as the World Health Organization convenes an international meeting in Geneva on Thursday to prepare for a flu pandemic.Thompson said ongoing egg supply costs and maintenance of the program may boost its overall cost to $41 million by 2008. Additional Resources:
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