GSK adaptable on H1N1 vaccine

H1N1 virus

Due to the changeability of the H1N1 bird flu pandemic, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has been in regular contact and working closely with governments across the world to create varying solutions to the problem.

GSK is currently in ongoing discussions with a number of governments regarding their specific pandemic planning needs, including governments who are changing their planned immunisation programmes.

In January, GSK reached an agreement with the German Ministry of Health (MoH) to alter its existing contract to receive 70 percent of the ordered vaccine, the equivalent of 34 million doses.

Immunisation programmes were originally expected to consist of two various doses of the vaccine, due to previous experience of similar experience with pandemic's. However, the strain of H1N1 showed in clinical trials to demonstrate a strong immune response to one dose of the vaccine, therefore governments were forced to adapt their recommendations for immunisation.

"Pandemics by their nature are unpredictable and we recognise that governments' needs are changing. We are committed to finding solutions for governments changing their immunisation programmes and to fulfilling recent new orders," said Jean Stephenne, President of GSK Biologicals.

With over 200 countries and overseas territories with confirmed cases of the H1N1, the circulation of H1N1 remains active and geologically widespread.

To help and protect people in developing countries, GSK is donating 60 million doses of vaccine to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Pandemics can be devastating for public health. Since 1997, GSK has been conducting research and development into vaccines to enable governments to protect their citizens in the event of an outbreak. The company has invested almost GBP£2 billion in developing technologies to respond to an influenza pandemic and increase capacity at its vaccine and antiviral manufacturing sites.

Like this article? Get the RSS feed: