Switzerland's Novartis has received the genetic code for the new swine flu virus that is raising alarms around the globe. And it hopes to get a sample of the actual virus soon as it begins work on a new vaccine that will guard against the disease.
Work on a new vaccine will likely take five or six months, says Reuters, but there are some big decisions to be made before Novartis or any of the other 20 or so vaccine-developers in the world start to ramp up production.
One of the biggest concerns is that a shift to sell a new vaccine could interfere with the production of seasonal flu vaccine. After a shortage left many countries without needed supplies several years ago, the world health community responded by making sure that large quantities of regular flu vaccine is made and distributed on time. Now they have to balance a big desire to acquire new vaccines for swine flu against the likely logistical nightmare that could develop for other vaccines.
The new research work will also likely include a special focus on adjuvant technology, which is used to increase the efficacy of thin supplies of vaccine.
- read the report from Reuters