Swine Flu Vaccine: The Race is On
Swine Flu Vaccine: The Race is On
Massive Vaccine Effort Takes Shape as Swine Flu Pandemic Sweeps Globe
June 26, 2009 – The U.S. is racing to make huge supplies of swine flu vaccine -- and trying to figure out who needs it most -- even as the pandemic sweeps the globe.
At least one of the five vaccine makers supplying U.S. swine flu vaccine already has bulk vaccine coming off the production line. The others soon will follow.
Clinical tests will begin within days as researchers struggle to answer basic questions about whether the vaccine works, how big a dose is needed, whether protection will take one shot or two, and whether the vaccine seems safe.
The biggest question -- whether to go ahead and try to vaccinate all 300 million U.S. residents -- won't be answered until the last minute. If the answer is "yes," it will mean a gargantuan effort.
That effort already is well under way, a series of experts reported at this week's meeting of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Vaccination Practices (ACIP).
"It is very clear to us that flu virus can cause serious illness and death. This pandemic virus is no exception," CDC flu chief Nancy J. Cox, PhD, told reporters at the meeting. "It is very clear a vaccine should be developed. If we see a good clear immune response and no safety problems, we will proceed."
The U.S. government already has sunk well over than $1 billion into production of a swine flu vaccine. What has that bought? A lot, says Robin Robinson, PhD, director of BARDA, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) branch responsible for ensuring production, procurement, and delivery of biomedical supplies crucial to national preparedness.
If all goes as planned, Robinson says, manufacturers will have 60 million vaccine doses on hand at the end of October, with 100 million more doses by the end of November and 80 million more doses each month thereafter through March 2010.
Mixing the vaccine with an immune-boosting substance called adjuvant would multiply this number of doses, but might delay the start of vaccine production. Manufacturers already are making massive quantities of adjuvant, but these products aren't yet licensed by the FDA; their use would require emergency authorization.
Swine Flu Vaccine: The Race Is On
Massive Vaccine Effort Takes Shape as Swine Flu Pandemic Sweeps Globe
June 26, 2009 – The U.S. is racing to make huge supplies of swine flu vaccine -- and trying to figure out who needs it most -- even as the pandemic sweeps the globe.
At least one of the five vaccine makers supplying U.S. swine flu vaccine already has bulk vaccine coming off the production line. The others soon will follow.
Clinical tests will begin within days as researchers struggle to answer basic questions about whether the vaccine works, how big a dose is needed, whether protection will take one shot or two, and whether the vaccine seems safe.
The biggest question -- whether to go ahead and try to vaccinate all 300 million U.S. residents -- won't be answered until the last minute. If the answer is "yes," it will mean a gargantuan effort.
That effort already is well under way, a series of experts reported at this week's meeting of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Vaccination Practices (ACIP).
"It is very clear to us that flu virus can cause serious illness and death. This pandemic virus is no exception," CDC flu chief Nancy J. Cox, PhD, told reporters at the meeting. "It is very clear a vaccine should be developed. If we see a good clear immune response and no safety problems, we will proceed."
The U.S. government already has sunk well over than $1 billion into production of a swine flu vaccine. What has that bought? A lot, says Robin Robinson, PhD, director of BARDA, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) branch responsible for ensuring production, procurement, and delivery of biomedical supplies crucial to national preparedness.
If all goes as planned, Robinson says, manufacturers will have 60 million vaccine doses on hand at the end of October, with 100 million more doses by the end of November and 80 million more doses each month thereafter through March 2010.
Mixing the vaccine with an immune-boosting substance called adjuvant would multiply this number of doses, but might delay the start of vaccine production. Manufacturers already are making massive quantities of adjuvant, but these products aren't yet licensed by the FDA; their use would require emergency authorization.
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