Making Swine Flu Vaccine Now Could Backfire

Move could cause global shortage of seasonal flu vaccines

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 30, 2009 7:34 AM CDT

(Newser) – The world's leading flu vaccine maker is on standby, ready to start cranking out a swine flu vaccine—but doing so might not be the smartest move, Carol Matlack writes in BusinessWeek. Vaccine makers can't shift or expand production easily, Matlack notes, meaning that a switch now could lead to a shortage of vaccines for seasonal flu—which already kills up to a million people worldwide every year.

The question of switching production—a swine flu vaccine could be ready in September if it started now—is " a very sensitive health question," the head of vaccine maker Sanofi said this week. The WHO is recommending makers stick with season flu for now, but still, Matlack writes, "if the global No. 1 manufacturer can’t mass-produce two vaccines at once, that’s worrisome."

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

This 2009 image taken through a microscope and provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, shows the H1N1 strain of the swine flu virus. (AP Photo/Center for Disease Control and Prevention, C. S. Goldsmith and A. Balish)

Anti-viral medications and surgical masks are seen at an undisclosed location in Utah as part of the Strategic National Stockpile . (AP Photo/Francisco Kjolseth, Pool)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

What if drugmakers scale back or eliminate production of seasonal vaccines in favor of a swine flu vaccine–only to have the threatened pandemic fail to materialize? - Carol Matlack

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Brit Nurses Fear Swine Flu Vaccine: Poll

One third won't have it for fear of danger; one third undecided

(NEWSER) - A full two thirds of British nurses are undecided about or outright against getting vaccinated for swine flu, the Telegraph reports. Some 60% of those who plan to decline say they are concerned about the safety of the untested treatment. “I would not be willing to put myself at risk of, as yet, unknown long-term side effects,” one says. Another 31% of nos say there is no need for the vaccine. “I have yet to be convinced there is a genuine health risk,” another says. More»

US Braces for Round 2 of Swine Flu

(NEWSER) - The US and other northern nations are steeling for a possible explosion in swine flu cases as the weather cools, the Washington Post reports. Experts believe the second round of H1N1 cases could cause a major disruption and strain the health care system. "The virus is still around and ready to explode," warned a flu expert. "We're potentially looking at a very big mess." More»

Pregnant Women Win Priority for Swine Flu Vaccine

(NEWSER) - Pregnant women and people who care for infants will be first in line for the swine flu vaccine this fall, the Washington Post reports. Infants, children and young adults under 24, chronically ill adults aged 25 to 64, and health care workers are the other top priority groups under guidelines drawn up by experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yesterday. More»

Flu-Phobic Consider Intentional Infection

(NEWSER) - With panic over the H1N1 flu virus on the wane, some Americans are pondering allowing themselves to become infected in hopes of building immunity against potentially more virulent strains, the New York Times reports. Doctors are split on the idea. "I think it's totally nuts," says a flu specialist. "We don't know enough about how this virus could react." More»

WHO Exaggerated Swine Flu Pandemic: EU Reports

Watchdogs accuse WHO of colluding with drugmakers

(NEWSER) - Was the H1N1 pandemic exaggerated? European officials are putting heat on the WHO over its handling of the pandemic, alleging the organization caused unnecessary panic and wasted millions of dollars. Reports released by an EU watchdog and the British Medical Journal go even further: they accuse the WHO of being influenced by drugmakers who stood to profit from unnecessary influenza preparation, the Washington Post reports. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Making Swine Flu Vaccine Now Could Backfire