WHO sees first swine flu vaccines approved in Sept

The development of new vaccines to combat H1N1 swine flu is on schedule and first regulatory approvals are possible in September, the World Health Organization said Thursday.

Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO director of the Initiative for Vaccine Research, said manufacturers had initially reported poor yields in making vaccine but this was now improving.

“We are on track in development,” Kieny told reporters.

First results from clinical trials are expected early next month and these tests will show whether one or two doses are needed to provide immunity, she added.

The current outbreak, declared a pandemic on June 11, is the fastest ever pandemic and could eventually affect 2 billion people, underscoring the need to get vaccines to market as quickly as possible.

Leading flu vaccine makers include Sanofi-Aventis, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Baxter, CSL and Solvay.

GENEVA (Reuters)