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HHS Increases Buy of Pandemic Bird Flu Vaccine to $162 Million

New contract to develop H5N1 vaccine is with Chiron Corporation

Oct. 27, 2005 – Health and Human Services has ordered an additional $62.5 million in influenza vaccine designed to combat the H5N1 avian flu virus that many fear will cause an international pandemic. In September, HHS awarded $100 million to Sanofi Pasteur for bird flu vaccine and announced an agreement with a German company to develop at least one vaccine for each of the 16 variations of a key influenza surface protein known as hemagglutinin (represented by the letter "H" in the names of influenza strains, such as H5N1).

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced the contract awarded to Chiron Corporation. to manufacture the avian influenza vaccine designed to protect against the H5N1 influenza virus strain, which has caused an epidemic of avian flu in Asia and has recently spread to Europe.

The number of individuals who could be protected by the newly contracted vaccine is still to be determined by ongoing clinical studies.

"An influenza vaccine effective against the H5N1 virus is our best hope of protecting the American people from a virus for which they have no immunity," Secretary Leavitt said. "This contract will increase our stockpile of the vaccine and is a continuation of our aggressive multi-pronged approach to a potentially critical public health challenge."

This purchase builds on the department's current plans to buy enough H5N1 influenza vaccine for 20 million people and enough influenza antivirals for another 20 million people. These supplies of vaccine and antiviral treatment will be placed in the nation's Strategic National Stockpile where they will be available for use should an influenza pandemic occur. Last month, HHS awarded a $100 million contract to sanofi pasteur, the vaccines business of the sanofi-aventis Group, for avian flu vaccine.

Developing an effective avian influenza vaccine is a key element of a comprehensive U.S. approach to prepare for an influenza pandemic that includes improved vaccine production methods and stockpiling of antivirals.

Earlier this year, Secretary Leavitt established an HHS-wide Influenza Task Force to coordinate all HHS activities affecting the public health preparedness for seasonal influenza outbreaks and an influenza pandemic.

Long- term objectives include an effective and efficient global surveillance network for outbreaks of influenza-like illness in humans and animals, and interoperable local, state, and federal government response plans for influenza outbreaks within the United States. The task force is also developing strategies to effectively coordinate with response partners, both public and private and insure timely communication with the public.

On September 28, HHS announced an agreement between the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and MedImmune, Inc. NIAID is part of the National Institutes of Health. NIAID and MedImmune will develop at least one vaccine for each of the 16 variations of a key influenza surface protein known as hemagglutinin (represented by the letter "H" in the names of influenza strains, such as H5N1). NIAID and MedImmune will develop vaccines for the highest priority hemagglutinin subtypes first. The researchers say it will take years to systematically develop vaccines for all the hemagglutinin subtypes.

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