US HHS takes additional steps toward development of vaccine for swine flu

The US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, has announced that the Department will take important steps necessary to  prepare for potential commercial-scale production of a candidate vaccine  for the novel influenza A ( H1N1; Marketletters passim). The Secretary  is directing approximately $1.0 billion in existing funds that will be  used for clinical studies that will take place over the summer and for  commercial-scale production of two potential vaccine ingredients for  the pre-pandemic influenza stockpile.

Ms Sebelius said: "preparation and planning are critical to keep  Americans safe in the face of a potential pandemic." She added: "our  goal throughout this new H1N1 outbreak has been to stay one step ahead  of the virus. An important part of this effort has been our work to  develop a potential vaccine because vaccines can help prevent and  control influenza virus outbreaks."