SANOFI PASTEUR ON TRACK TO DELIVER FLU VACCINE TO U.S.

Sanofi pasteur, the vaccines arm of French drugmaker sanofi-aventis, said it is on track to deliver its projected supply of 50 million doses of its flu vaccine, Fluzone, by the end of November. The company is distributing all of its vaccine as soon as it completes final testing and expects to ship the major part during October and November. As in the past two influenza seasons, the company is also planning to produce additional flu vaccine for delivery in early December, if needed.

As in past years, sanofi pasteur is using a multiphased delivery process, allowing customers to received at least a portion of their order early on. This shipping process allows the maximum number of providers to begin immunizing as early as possible.

This season, the company's distribution schedule is approximately three weeks later than last year. However, this schedule is still consistent with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) recommendations for the timing of influenza immunization. Sanofi pasteur is expected to provide approximately 40 percent of the U.S.'s influenza vaccine supply.