H1N1 Vaccine Approvals Coming, WHO
August 6, 2009 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) have said that the world seems to be on track for the first H1N1 influenza vaccines to be approved by September. The so-called swine flu has been making its way around the world and scientists have been working at developing a vaccine before the virus makes its second wave, affecting even more people.
Developing a vaccine is intense work that can go in the wrong direction at any time. The many steps involved in developing the vaccine and ensuring its safety and efficacy takes time. The WHO has outlined how this is done in their posting Pandemic influenza vaccine manufacturing process and timeline . It’s interesting to read how the development occurs.
At this point, the process is in the clinical trial phase for some of the manufacturers and once the results of the clinical trials are released, if all is well, the vaccines may be approved for general use.
The H1N1 flu vaccine isn’t the same thing as the seasonal flu vaccine. This vaccine will be in addition to the annual seasonal flu vaccine, which means an extra injection.
Will you be getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available? Do you get the seasonal flu vaccine?
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Photo courtesy PhotoXpress.com
