Novel H1N1 vaccine production problems

"The World Health Organization says so far the yield for egg-based production is half or less what manufacturers get when they make vaccine to protect against seasonal H1N1 viruses."

That statement is very problematic for novel H1N1 vaccine production. Under the best case scenario the world was likely to see pandemic vaccine available to richer nations that had pre-ordered the vaccine in November. There are a number of uncertainties with production of the pandemic vaccine in order to make projections about availability - How many doses will be required? Can an adjuvant be used?

The article from Helen Branswell outlines a few scenarios:

Best case scenario: if the yield was equal to what we see in seasonal flu, the vaccine is made using the lowest possible effective dose and if countries only order 1 dose per person, then manufacturers might fill vaccine orders by November and could then possibly begin production on vaccine for other countries.

However, if the yield is half that of seasonal flu vaccine production then the best case scenario would be mid-January before all existing orders are filled.

If the yield is low and countries demand two shots per citizen, then it might be next June before orders are filled.

Read the whole article here:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hJMZ2o0rf1lyVv_1ZIxwdlZOqJuQ