In may be the earliest beginnings ever for the distribution of vaccines for seasonal influenza. Two vaccine makers have already started importing flu vaccine supplies for the U.S. market. However, the U.S. health officials said that the labels on the vaccine will be changed. It was made and sold in Australia by CSL but many cases were reported of convulsions in children who were administered this particular vaccine.

GlaxoSmithKline is shipping 30 million units of FluLaval vaccine which is marketed by its partner ID Biomedical. Sanofi Aventis, in its largest import ever, is reported to be shipping 70 million units of seasonal flu vaccine. GlaxoSmithKline issued a statement that its own vaccine, Fluarix, will be shipped in the next few weeks.

Sanofi Aventis is also planning to launch Fluzone High-Dose, a vaccine for influenza virus, for individuals of age 65 years and above. Evidences show that individuals over 65 have a weaker immune system but encouragingly, they are better protected when a stronger vaccine is administered.

There are other vaccine makers too in the U.S. market like the Novartis and Medimmune of AstraZeneca.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending everyone to get vaccinated against the flu. The centers revealed that the different manufacturers have estimated that a total of 170 million units of flu vaccine will be available in market for the flu season of 2010-2011.

The U.S. government had imported 162 million units of H1N1 vaccine the previous year. But only 90 million of those doses were used as only 40% of those advised to get vaccinated actually go for immunization.

Flu vaccines can’t be stored for use at a later time and hence fresh doses are made every year. These Flu vaccines are produced by using some old techniques that involves the use of chicken eggs and therefore, the manufactures can’t be sure about the quantity of vaccines they can produce and the time period.

Source:

Health and Science, USA