EU Moves to Fast-Track Swine Flu Vaccine

Rushed vaccine could be dangerous, WHO flu chief warns

By the Associated Press

Posted Jul 26, 2009 12:45 PM CDT

(AP) – In a drive to inoculate people against swine flu before winter, many European governments say they will fast-track the testing of a new flu vaccine, arousing concern among some experts about safety and proper vaccine doses. Europe's top drug regulator is accelerating the approval process for swine flu vaccine, and countries such as Britain, Greece, France, and Sweden say they'll start using the vaccine after it's greenlighted—possibly within weeks.

The World Health Organization's flu chief warned about the potential dangers of untested vaccines, although he stopped short of criticizing Europe's approach outright. "One of the things which cannot be compromised is the safety of vaccines," he said. "There are certain areas where you can make economies, perhaps, but certain areas where you simply do not try to make any economies."

An AP graphic shows 24 countries identified by the WHO as having companies with the capability to manufacture swine flu vaccine. (P. Santilli)

An AP graphic shows WHO estimates that swine flu will claim some 90,000 victims if a successful vaccine isn't found. (J. Bell)

Professor Nikolai Petrovsky displays a swine flu vaccine dose at the Flinders Medical Center in Adelaide, Australia, Friday July 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Aman Sharma)

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EU Moves to Fast-Track Swine Flu Vaccine

Rushed vaccine could be dangerous, WHO flu chief warns

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Rushed vaccine could be dangerous, WHO flu chief warns

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[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Malaria Kills Twice as Many as We Thought: Study

Health officials have been undercounting adult victims, researchers argue

Almost Half of Abortions Are 'Unsafe': WHO

Globally, 49% are performed without clinical help

Scientists Make Ebola Breakthrough

Create new synthetic vaccine that can survive long enough to be effective

Kids Increasingly Skipping Vaccines

Health officials concerned about new outbreaks

Delta In-Flight Ad Causes Stir

Pediatricians object to ad that advises asking questions about flu shots

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Newser By Users

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