Novartis ships seasonal flu vaccines 'ahead of schedule'
10 August 2009 00:00 in Pharmaceutical Company Product News
Novartis' vaccines division has completed its orders of seasonal flu vaccines for overseas suppliers ahead of schedule this year and is currently in the process of shipping them, it has announced.
The Fluvirin vaccine, which has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration, has been shipped weeks earlier than agreed as demand is expected to soar this year following the outbreak of the H1N1 virus.
Andrin Oswald, chief executive of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, said that it is imperative for the firm to do all it can to help protect the public from all circulating varieties of influenza.
He added: "By receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine early, physicians and public health officials can better prepare for the upcoming flu season."
Seasonal influenza is an acute viral infection that is highly contagious and attacks the respiratory tract. Its impact can be either mild or more severe and can result in death.
In other Novartis news, the firm received approval from the EU commission last week for its advanced renal cell carcinoma treatment Afinitor (everolimus).
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