Health
Chiron scraps 12 million doses of influenza vaccine
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Aug. 8, 2005
Chiron Corp., the company that triggered last years flu vaccine crisis because of contamination problems, will not be providing the expected 12 million doses of vaccine to patients in Europe because of problems at its plant in Germany, according to a series of statements issued by the company last month. The company will attempt to address any shortfall by reallocating supplies produced by its plant in Italy.
Whether Chiron will be able to supply the United States is still uncertain. The company expects to provide 18 million to 26 million doses for the upcoming influenza season, contingent on the results of the Food and Drug Administration's Good Manufacturing Practices inspection, which is ongoing and expected to continue for the next few weeks. The company also needs to arrange additional approvals from Britain's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
Meanwhile, Sanofi Pasteur is expanding its ability to produce flu vaccine and broke ground on a new plant in July. This facility will replace its old one in Swiftwater, Pa., in 2009 and is expected to double the company's ability to produce vaccine. Sanofi is expected to produce around 50 million doses for the coming season.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/08/08/hlbf0808.htm.
