Flu Vaccine Maker's Shipments Suspended

LONDON - Flu shot shipments by a major vaccine supplier were blocked by British health authorities Tuesday just ahead of the flu season, immediately raising worries that there will be enough vaccine this year.


"The implications may be significant. There could be a shortage," said Dr. Klaus Stohr, influenza chief at the World Health Organization (news - web sites). "It may be resolvable but that would require a lot of adjustment on the part of the other companies."


The British health regulatory agency said it was suspending the license of vaccine maker Chiron Corp., for three months because of manufacturing problems. The company provides half of U.S. flu shots.


The suspension means the company will not be able to supply any influenza vaccines to any market during the three months, health officials said.

story.news.yahoo.com.../ap/2 0041005/ap_on_he_me/flu_vaccine_suspension

Tuesday's action seemed to catch U.S. health authorities off-guard. In Washington, Health and Human Services (news - web sites) spokesman Anthony Jewell said it's not yet clear how the British sanction will affect U.S. supplies. Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) officials are working with their counterparts in Britain and Chiron to determine that, he said.


"We are just learning the details," he said.


Flu shot campaigns usually start in October, a month before the flu season typically begins in the United States. In an average year, flu kills 36,000 people and hospitalizes another 114,000, mostly the elderly.


Chiron had planned to provide the United States between 46 million and 48 million flu shots this year, almost half the nation's supply.


The vaccine maker had announced in August that some batches of vaccine were contaminated and it was delaying shipment,


But less than two weeks ago, top U.S. health officials assured the public that close FDA (news - web sites) monitoring of the rest of Chiron's supply suggested it was fine and that there would be plenty of supplies.


Feeling good here, we're getting Flu shots provided here at work later this week. Only $5 bucks too, can't beat that.