Wyeth to up vax production in pandemic

Facing a predicted wave of new pneumonia cases triggered by a second wave of swine flu, Wyeth says it's prepared to gear up production of a new and improved vaccine for infants. The vaccine, Prevnar 13, is slated for an FDA review on September 30. 

"Because of the (pandemic) situation, we are talking with the CDC and thinking about how we can accelerate some of the plans we currently have," Dr. Peter Paradiso, vice president of scientific affairs at Wyeth, told Reuters. Paradiso added that Wyeth already has enough vaccine to protect some four million infants. Wyeth, which is being acquired by Pfizer, filed for an approval in April.

Prevnar 13 guards against the same seven common strains of strep bacteria that the currently used jab can fight. And it adds six new strains that also are appearing regularly around the world. One of those strains is 19A, a growing threat that can often be resistant to antibiotics.

- read the story from Reuters

ALSO: Delta estimated today that swine flu will cost the company about $250 million as fewer travelers choose to travel to Mexico and Latin America. Report

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