Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi-Aventis, has announced that it is ready to support public health efforts to tackle the emergence of the new A(H1N1) influenza strain. This action followed the decision made by the WHO to raise the pandemic alert level from Phase 5 to Phase 6, the highest level of alert in the WHO global influenza preparedness plan.
Sanofi Pasteur received an order from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on May 25, 2009 for the supply of an A(H1N1) influenza vaccine.
Wayne Pisano, President and CEO, Sanofi Pasteur, said: “By committing to develop and supply a vaccine against the new influenza A(H1N1) strain, Sanofi Pasteur supports the fight against pandemic influenza led by the WHO, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, the European Institutions, the French Ministry of Health and other national and international health authorities around the world.”
“Sanofi Pasteur remains in continuous communication with these health authorities to help develop a tailored response to local public health needs, he added.