H1N1 Outbreak Continues But Virus Severity Appears to be More Moderate Than Previously Expected

As of May 7, 2009, 23 countries have officially reported 2099 cases of H1N1 influenza. The United States is reporting 896 cases across 41 states.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced yesterday that it has approved a new manufacturing facility to produce influenza virus vaccines. The facility is approved for seasonal influenza vaccine production and could be used for the production of vaccine against the new 2009 H1N1 influenza strain.

The facility, located in the United States, is owned and operated by sanofi pasteur, which manufactures Fluzone Influenza Virus Vaccine. This new facility will greatly increase sanofi pasteur’s production capability.

“This approval represents an important step towards increasing the availability of influenza vaccines,” said Karen Midthun, M.D., the FDA’s acting director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

“Increased manufacturing capacity for influenza vaccine is critical to our preparedness for an influenza pandemic,” said Jesse Goodman, M.D., M.P.H., the FDA’s acting chief scientist and deputy commissioner for scientific and medical programs. “This action also enhances the ability to produce and provide vaccines to protect the public from seasonal influenza, still estimated to cause more than 30,000 deaths per year. Thanks to strategic investments by the federal government and proactive efforts and engagement by the FDA and the vaccine industry, our nation’s preparedness has come a long way over the last five years.”

Please continue to check AllOne Health's website, http://www.allonehealth.com/ , for updates to this situation. As experts in pandemic flu preparedness, AllOne Health can assist you with any questions you have about preparing your organization for a pandemic.