WHO downgrades forecast for swine flu vaccine production (Roundup)

Sep 24, 2009, 15:56 GMT

Geneva - Production for vaccines against the pandemic A(H1N1) virus were 'on track,' a senior World Health Organization official said Thursday, even as the estimate for manufacturing yields was reduced.

'Clearly vaccine development is on track,' said Marie-Paule Kieny, the head of vaccine research at WHO, adding that 'vaccine trials have given very good news.'

The WHO has also revised downwards to 3 billion doses per 12 months its estimate for the amount of vaccines manufacturers will be able to produce for the pandemic virus.

However, Kieny said most tests showed only one dose of the vaccine would be needed per person.

Previously, the WHO had estimated some 5 billion doses would be available, but thought two doses might be needed per person. Children and those with poor health might still need an extra shot.

Even so, scientists did not know yet what was the effective duration of the vaccine. Moreover, the amount to be available would still not be enough for all people.

'These supplies will still be inadequate to cover a world population of 6.8 billion people, in which virtually everyone is susceptible to infection by a new and readily contagious virus. Global manufacturing capacity for influenza vaccines is limited, inadequate and not readily augmented,' WHO's updated report on pandemic influenza vaccines read.

The report said regulatory authorities and vaccine manufacturers had made 'extraordinary efforts' to expedite the availability of vaccines for the virus, which is also known as swine flu.

Meanwhile, poor nations would receive some vaccine supplies from several developed and emerging countries, comprising Australia, Brazil, Britain, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the United States. They would likely give up to 10 per cent of what the governments have procured for themselves in pre-orders.

This donation could lead to 50 million doses being made available to the developing world, on top of 150 million doses the WHO planned to purchase at reduced rates for the poorer corners of the planet.

The health agency promised safeguards to ensure the doses ended up being given to those who required them most, in line with national health priorities.

Regulatory authorities have licensed pandemic vaccines in Australia, China, Hungary and the United States, WHO reported. Japan and several European countries were expected to follow. The length of the full approval process would depend on several factors unique to each country and drugmaker.

Out of 44,000 vaccines given in China, there were 14 cases of adverse effects, mostly mild. Kieny said this was within the range expected.

Hungary is expected to role out vaccines at the end of the month.