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Home » HEALTH CANADA EXPECTS FLU VACCINE DELAY
HEALTH CANADA EXPECTS FLU VACCINE DELAY
August 25, 2006
Health Canada has announced that flu vaccine manufacturers reported problems growing one of the strains recommended for this season's flu shot. As a result, the vaccine will be available to the provinces and territories later than usual this year, probably at the end of October or beginning of November. But patients should be able to receive the vaccine before the peak of the flu season, which typically does not occur until mid-December or later.
Vaccine formulas are based on annual recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), which are usually received in mid-February. Based on WHO guidelines, Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommended this year's influenza vaccine contain A/New Caledonia-like, A/Wisconsin-like and B/Malaysia-like virus strains.
There was a delay in getting the appropriate seed strain for the A/Wisconsin strain. The strain also had a low yield so it took longer to produce. The WHO also issues test kits that are used to determine the content and strength of the vaccine, but given the problems with the A/Wisconsin strain, the distribution of the test kits was also delayed.
KEYWORDS Daily International Pharma Alert
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