Health
Flu shot manufacturers start shipping vaccine
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Sept. 11, 2006
The first shipments of the more than 100 million doses of influenza vaccine expected before the end of the flu season have started making their way to physicians and other health care practitioners.
MedImmune, which makes the intranasal version, started shipping at the end of July. Novartis Pharmaceuticals, which bought the vaccine manufacturer Chiron Corp. last year, began sending out doses of the injectable version in August. Sanofi Pasteur and GlaxoSmithKline are rolling out shots this month.
After several years of shortages and delays in vaccine supplies, many experts and public health officials expect ample supplies this season.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/09/11/hlbf0911.htm.
