U.S., others to donate flu vaccines

The White House said the U.S. will join Australia, Brazil, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the U.K. to donate swine influenza A (H1N1) vaccines through the World Health Organization for use in countries that would not otherwise have access. The White House said the U.S. has pledged 10% of its vaccine supply, but that the country would have enough "to ensure that every American who wants a vaccine is able to receive one."

HHS has ordered 195 million doses of H1N1 vaccine, which would leave 175.5 million doses available for the U.S. population should the pledge be completely fulfilled. In July, CDC estimated the priority populations for vaccination in the U.S. to total 159 million. Last week, NIAID said early data showed H1N1 vaccines induced a strong immune response when administered in a single unadjuvanted dose (See BioCentury Extra, Friday, Sep. 11, 2009). ...