Sanofi Receives Additional Order For H1N1 Vaccine From US Government

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of the sanofi-aventis Group, has received an additional order from the US Department of health and human services (HHS) to produce vaccine to help protect against the Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus.

According to Sanofi, the new order is for the production of bulk antigen equivalent to 27.3 million doses based on 15mcg of antigen per dose. To date, Sanofi Pasteur has committed to the US government a total of 75.3 million doses of H1N1 2009 Monovalent Vaccine.

Wayne Pisano, president and CEO of Sanofi Pasteur, said: “We are pleased to be able to support the US government’s pandemic response efforts through the production of additional doses of A (H1N1) vaccine. As the only company manufacturing inactivated influenza vaccine in the US, we recognise the important role Sanofi Pasteur serves in the country’s pandemic response plan and we have committed our resources to responding to our public health needs.”

Sanofi Pasteur is testing the immunogenicity and safety of the H1N1 2009 Monovalent Vaccine produced in the US through clinical trials, which began in the US on August 6. Final data from these clinical trials will provide additional information to guide recommendations on the optimal dosage, number of doses and schedule, the company reported.

Sanofi Pasteur operates influenza vaccine production facilities in the US and in France.