Brussels - The European Commission on Tuesday authorized the use of two vaccines for the pandemic A(H1N1) virus, commonly known as swine flu, after successful testing was carried out by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The vaccines are Focetria, which is produced by Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis, and Pandemrix, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.
The vaccines are to become available in all 27 European Union's member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, as of this week.
The decision "should ensure that sufficient vaccines will be available before the start of the flu season and will reduce the risks for illnesses and deaths for European citizens," officials in Brussels said in a statement.
Last week, the London-based EMA said it had speeded up testing on the two vaccines so that they could become available before the traditional start of the flue season.
The agency recommends a two-dose vaccination schedule, at an interval of three weeks, for adults, including pregnant women, and children from six months of age. While governments are responsible for their own national vaccination strategies, they rely on information provided by the agency.
The authorized vaccines contain substances known as "adjuvants" that enhance the immune response so that less viral material can be used in each dose of vaccine.
