MedImmune Receives New Order From HHS

MedImmune has revealed that the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has placed an order for an additional 29 million doses of its live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.

LAIV is said to be different from the injectable influenza vaccine as it contains live vaccine virus strains that are weakened so as not to cause the flu. It is delivered through the nose, rather than by injection.

The company said that it brings HHS orders to date to more than 40 million vaccine doses, with a total cumulative contract value of approximately $453m. Previous HHS orders for approximately 13 million doses of LAIV for the 2009 H1N1 strain were placed in May and July.

The company claims that the vaccine received approval from the FDA and is indicated for the active immunization of individuals 2-49 years of age against influenza caused by pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus.

Tony Zook, president of MedImmune, said: “At MedImmune, our mission is to develop and deliver medicines that change lives, and we are proud that our innovative LAIV technology may help protect the public from the threat of 2009 H1N1 influenza. We will continue to work collaboratively with the US government and public health authorities to contribute to the response to this unpredictable infectious disease.”