EU Moves to Fast-Track Swine Flu Vaccine

(NEWSER) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has prepared a seed stock of vaccine for the swine flu that has killed dozens in Mexico and infected a handful of Americans, Time reports. The CDC has not begun mass production of the vaccine, opting instead to see if the outbreak reaches pandemic proportions. Still, “concern has grown” about the virus, an official said. More»

Those who've been hit with virus seem immune to other flus

(NEWSER) - Swine flu might hold the key to an all-purpose vaccine that could, with a single injection, protect patients from all flus for the rest of their lives. Researchers in Chicago and Atlanta are set to publish a study finding that those who develop antibodies against swine flu appear to be immune to other flu strains as well. Armed with that knowledge, they believe a super-vaccine could be developed in less than a decade, the Daily Mail reports. More»

They've just got enough for pregnant women, doc warns

(NEWSER) - Nervous UK health care providers are running out of the vaccine for a scary swine flu strain that has claimed 39 lives. Manufacturers have warned they have no supplies left in the wake of a surge of new cases, reports the Telegraph . "There's enough vaccine for pregnant women who need it, and that's it," said one doctor. Officials are seeking remaining supplies in other European countries. Some 700 people with the flu are currently being treated in critical care facilities. More»

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»

Unused shots are near expiration date

(NEWSER) - More than 71 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine purchased by the federal government to combat an expected flu pandemic will have to be discarded if they go unused, which seems increasingly likely. Those doses were packaged for individual use, which dramatically decreases their shelf life. Of the 229 million doses bought for $1.6 billion, about 91 million were administered. The US will donate some of the rest to poor nations and keep about 35 million doses in bulk form. More»