NEW YORK: A shortage of flu vaccine Fluvirin is looming large with one of the manufacturers, Chiron Corporation, announcing a cut in its 2005 Fluvirin production targets. The company says it expects to produce 18 million to 26 million doses, against a projected 25 million to 30 million doses.
Chiron's President Jack Goldstein said Wednesday the cut has been necessitated by the fact that certain new manufacturing and quality check procedures had strained workers and that its Liverpool, England facility, which was closed down last year because of contamination fears, is yet to go on full stream and get the necessary U.S. FDA approval to market the vaccine in the U.S.
The company had faced a predicament last year when its 48 million doses meant for the U.S. were scrapped following suspected contamination. The company had to close down the plant in Liverpool. However, the regulators in England have allowed the plant to be reopened ensuring that safety standards are met, but the plant is now running only at 70 per cent capacity. The company would need the FDA's approval for vaccine made there to be distributed in the U.S. FDA is set to inspect the plant in July.
The U.S. requires 80 million to 90 million doses of flu shots every year. Of this, 50 million to 55 million doses are expected to be supplied by Sanofi-Aventis and about two million doses by MedImmune Inc. The rest is to be met by Chiron.
Recently, GlaxoSmithKline had sought FDA approval for a flu vaccine and if the procedure is hastened, the company can supply 10 million doses.
Government officials and health workers feel there is no cause for alarm. Agencies in the U.S. involved in vaccination and disease control have taken steps to combat a worst scenario. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has drawn up contingency plans to provide the vaccine first to those most at risk, if required.
