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Fifth company applies to produce flu vaccine

But even if CSL Biotherapies wins approval, the vaccine supply will probably fall short.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published April 20, 2007

ATLANTA - Flu vaccine manufacturers expect to have a record 132-million doses ready for the 2007-08 flu season, and even more could be available if a fifth company joins their ranks, officials said Thursday.

CSL Biotherapies, an Australian company, applied last month for federal approval to sell its flu vaccine in the United States this fall.

If approved, CSL would join four other companies providing flu vaccine in the United States. Three make flu shots - Sanofi Pasteur Inc., which projects 50-million doses; Novartis Vaccines, which expects to make up to 40-million doses; and GlaxoSmithKline, which is planning 30-million to 35-million doses.

In addition, MedImmune Vaccines Inc. plans to manufacture about 7-million doses of FluMist, a nasal mist recommended only for healthy people between ages 5 and 49. It contains live virus and carries a slight chance of causing flu-like symptoms.

Government health officials have been expanding their flu shot recommendations to cover more age groups. Federal guidelines now call for 218-million Americans to get vaccinated, so the supply for shots still falls far short, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Influenza kills an estimated 36,000 Americans each year, and hospitalizes another 200,000, according to the CDC.

Nearly 121-million doses were produced for the 2006-07 flu season, but many went unused. More than 18-million doses probably will be destroyed after their June 30 expiration.

[Last modified April 20, 2007, 01:33:26]