FDA approves four influenza A (H1N1) vaccines

by Michael Carroll, FirstWord.com

US Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Tuesday that the FDA approved four influenza A (H1N1) vaccines, which will be manufactured by sanofi-aventis' vaccine unit Sanofi Pasteur, Novartis, CSL, and AstraZeneca's Medimmune unit, which makes the only nasal-spray vaccine.

Sebelius noted the approvals mean that a vaccination campaign in October will remain on track. Some vaccine will be available in the first week of the month, with the large-scale programme beginning by mid-October. The US government purchased 195 million doses of the vaccine.

Sanofi-aventis commented that its H1N1 vaccine is the only one licensed in the US for those 6 months of age or older.