The vaccine comes just in time for the second wave of the virus
One of the UK’s swine flu vaccines has at last been given the green light by the European drugs regulator.
The news comes ahead of predictions that a second wave of the virus is likely to hit as winter approaches.
A panel of experts agreed that Pandemrix, made by GlaxoSmithKline, is suitable for use in adults and children over six months old, as well as pregnant women.
In light of the decision the immunisation programme is one step closer to getting under way, although licensing does still need to be formalised.
The UK has purchased 60 million doses of the vaccine, with hopes that official vaccinations can begin sometime next month.
Additionally, there are contracts for an as yet unapproved vaccine, Celvapan, produced by Baxter. Ultimately, this will mean the UK has enough doses for every person in the country.
The European Commission is expected to give final marketing authorisation for the drugs “shortly”.
Experts had prepared for a pandemic by developing “mock-ups” of the vaccine which were tested in 6,000 people. This meant the approval process encountered few delays, with manufacturers working quickly to add the swine flu H1N1 strain to the mock versions.
Early trial data had indicated good immune responses with just one dose of the vaccine.
Priority for the vaccine has been given to high-risk individuals and front-line NHS staff.
A spokesman for the Department of Health said, “This is a welcome step forward in our plans for tackling swine flu - but we are still dependant on production and delivery of sufficient vaccine to start protecting people.”
COMMENTS
Santa Monica Chiropractor
2010 03 10
Im 19 and I go to college and Im soo tired hiring about the swine flu every single day! Im not getting the vaccine because I don’t feel like I should get something shot inside me that hasn’t been approved by the FDA. So is the swine flu a pandemic Santa Monica Chiropractor
Jennifer55
2010 03 20
Yeah all this mess with swine flu was just shocking. I mean the virus appears from somewhere and people are suffering… It is really strange. I remember that this flu case is not the first one in the world lately. I am wondering won’t we face another type of flu few years later? For example fish flu? No I am not joking around here. The thing is that vaccine must have been made earlier. People have dead just because of flu. After the vaccine was made, it appeared that swine flu treatment is very similar to stomach flu treatment. My friend had suffered swine flu few weeks ago so I have some information about it. However lets be optimistic on this one. Let’s hope that we won’t have to face such an epidemics in the nearest future and everything will be all right. Thanks for the interesting article by the way. Oh and keep publishing them in the future too.
Scott
2010 03 23
Flu is becoming one of the dangerous disease in this era. We have already heard about the bird flu in the past years. Lot of problem cause due to this flu. Its one of the good news that some of the flu vaccine has been approved by the European Authority.
VistaBay Drug rehab
Julia
2010 07 28
First of all thanks a lot for the great and informative entry indeed.Well, everybody knows that health is a very important now. There is a famous proverb “Health is above wealth”. Nobody would deny the importance of its meaning. Good creams make face healthy. Reality is, it is indeed a part of everyone’s life. We will all age. Just because aging if part of the natural order of things does not mean we must accept what the years (and exposure to the environment) have done to us. Some factors that can cause wrinkles: Sun’s UV rays - Too much exposure to the sun can cause wrinkles and sun spots. Smoking - Smoking has a negative effect on the skin. It affects its ability to repair its self from damage. Stress - Stess can affect the well being of a person. This is exactly why it is so important to only choose collagen creams that are made with all natural and organic ingredients. And it is quite natural that the main thing people wish each other is to be in good health, good luck and good appearance.
ADD YOUR COMMENT
Win tickets to the Cycle Show!
Win tickets to the National Home Improvement Show!