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HHS to add to national stockpile of influenza vaccine, antiviral drugs

Infection Control Monitor, September 16, 2005

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded a $100 million contract to Sanofi Pasteur to manufacture avian influenza vaccine to add to the nation's Strategic National Stockpile, secretary Mike Leavitt announced on Thursday.

Also, HHS awarded $2.8 million more to GlaxoSmithKline for 84,300 treatment courses of the antiviral drug zanamivir.

It is unknown how many individuals the contract will vaccinate, but the purchases will go toward reaching the department's plan to buy enough vaccine for 20 million people and enough zanamivir for 20 million more.

Initial clinical studies indicate that two 90-microgram doses of the vaccine are required to stimulate an effective immune response against the H5N1 strain.

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