Flu vaccine found tainted in factory, shipments delayed

[Kadie]

Flu vaccine found tainted in factory, shipments delayed

PAUL ELIAS, AP Biotechnology Writer
Thursday, August 26, 2004


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(08-26) 15:18 PDT SAN FRANCISCO (AP) --

The nation's supply of vaccine for the impending flu season took a big hit Thursday when Chiron Corp. announced it found tainted doses in its factory.

The company said it will hold up shipment of about 50 million shots -- about half the supply U.S. health officials had hoped to have on hand this year -- while it investigates what went wrong and determines whether the vaccine is safe to use.

U.S. health officials said some people may not get flu shots when they want this year, but that they were hopeful Chiron's production problems are only temporary. Demand typically peaks in October and November.

"Based on what we know, we don't expect a major delay and we believe we can effectively vaccinate the population at risk," CDC chief Dr. Julie Gerberding said. "We are in daily contract with Chiron and we will be tracking this along with the Food and Drug Adminsitration."

more...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/08/26/financial1818EDT0154.DTL

[mzmolly]

1. Tainted with ???

Emeryville-based Chiron would not give details on the nature of the contamination, which Pien said was found in a small number of batches at the company's factory in Liverpool, England.

Guess they won't say.

[DUreader]

2. Looks like another year of price spikes and mad profits for fluvac inc.

gee what a surprise