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| Swine flu case rise slows sharply | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The rate of increase in swine flu cases in England and Scotland has "decreased significantly", latest figures show. | |
| England recorded an estimated 30,000 cases last week, compared with 110,000 the week before. In Scotland estimated numbers fell from 1,500 to 1,050. | |
| The Health Protection Agency said there was no sign that the virus was mutating into a more lethal form, or developing resistance to drugs. | The Health Protection Agency said there was no sign that the virus was mutating into a more lethal form, or developing resistance to drugs. |
| The number of swine flu-related deaths in England now stands at 36. | |
| Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has announced that the first swine flu vaccines are likely to be licensed for use in the general population in September. | |
| Several manufacturers have produced initial batches of a H1N1 vaccine and some clinical trials are already underway. | Several manufacturers have produced initial batches of a H1N1 vaccine and some clinical trials are already underway. |
| WHO director of vaccine research Dr Marie Paul Kieny also sought to calm fears about safety of new vaccines. | WHO director of vaccine research Dr Marie Paul Kieny also sought to calm fears about safety of new vaccines. |
| She said the vaccines were based on "old and proven technology". | She said the vaccines were based on "old and proven technology". |
| Although it has not yet been clarified who would be first in line for a vaccine, it is likely to be those who are most vulnerable, such as pregnant women and young children. | Although it has not yet been clarified who would be first in line for a vaccine, it is likely to be those who are most vulnerable, such as pregnant women and young children. |
| Some experts have raised concerns about the lack of safety data on flu vaccines in these groups. | Some experts have raised concerns about the lack of safety data on flu vaccines in these groups. |
| In particular a very rare neurological condition called Guillame Barre syndrome, which affected 500 people during a US vaccine programme against swine flu in 1976. | In particular a very rare neurological condition called Guillame Barre syndrome, which affected 500 people during a US vaccine programme against swine flu in 1976. |
| Dr Kieny said much was known about flu vaccines in these groups from seasonal vaccines given every winter and added that regulatory agencies would be monitoring for any signs of adverse reaction. | Dr Kieny said much was known about flu vaccines in these groups from seasonal vaccines given every winter and added that regulatory agencies would be monitoring for any signs of adverse reaction. |
| "The quality controls on today's vaccine are much better than they were 30 years ago," she added. | "The quality controls on today's vaccine are much better than they were 30 years ago," she added. |
| Fast track | Fast track |
| Regulators in the US and Europe have special plans in place to fast-track swine flu vaccines, some of which are based on conventional seasonal flu vaccines and some which use newer technology. | Regulators in the US and Europe have special plans in place to fast-track swine flu vaccines, some of which are based on conventional seasonal flu vaccines and some which use newer technology. |
| It comes as drug company, Baxter, has announced the production of the first commercial batches of its swine flu vaccine Celvapan. | It comes as drug company, Baxter, has announced the production of the first commercial batches of its swine flu vaccine Celvapan. |
| The vaccine has been grown using cell culture, a much faster method than the traditional way of growing it in eggs. | The vaccine has been grown using cell culture, a much faster method than the traditional way of growing it in eggs. |
| Baxter is one of two companies contracted to provide pandemic flu vaccine to the UK, the other being GlaxoSmithKline, and both plan to start clinical trials this month. | Baxter is one of two companies contracted to provide pandemic flu vaccine to the UK, the other being GlaxoSmithKline, and both plan to start clinical trials this month. |
| One key part of the trials is to work out whether people need one or two doses of the vaccine. | One key part of the trials is to work out whether people need one or two doses of the vaccine. |
| Ministers have repeatedly said they expect to have enough doses for half the UK population by the end of the year. | Ministers have repeatedly said they expect to have enough doses for half the UK population by the end of the year. |