Next year's flu vaccine in development
Story By: Bea Karnes
Source: NBC
Vaccine manufacturers are planning a record supply of flu shots next year, despite the problems seen with this year's batch.
The five companies that manufacture flu vaccines for the US are planning on producing 143 million doses for the 2008 - 2009 flu season, up three million from this year. However, some experts say the demand may be lower because this year's vaccine was just 44 percent effective.
Experts are meeting this week in Atlanta to discuss next year's flu season, with topics including vaccine supply and the strains that will be covered. The meeting is hosted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Medical Association. Vaccine manufacturers include CSL Biotherapies, Sanofi Pasteur, Novartis Vaccines, GlaxoSmithKline and MedImmune Vaccines.
