Travis Leonardi .com

The AP (5/22, Neergaard) reported, “Inching closer to a swine flu vaccine, the government is beginning to analyze two candidates for the key ingredient to brew one. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hopes to deliver one or both to vaccine manufacturers by the end of next week so scientists can begin the months-long process of producing shots.” The US “set aside $1 billion for crucial testing of the first pilot doses and stockpiling of key vaccine ingredients” on Friday. CDC scientists also “unveiled the most detailed genetic examination yet of the novel virus, finding that the new swine flu may have been circulating undetected in pigs for years.”
According to the Los Angeles Times (5/23, Kaplan), “an analysis of more than 50 strains of the H1N1 influenza virus at the center of the global outbreak has concluded that they are closely related and can be fought with a single vaccine.” The findings “could boost the likelihood that the US will move forward with an H1N1 vaccine that would be offered separately from the seasonal flu vaccine.” Sanofi Pasteur announces $190 million swine flu vaccine contract with US. For more click here.