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UK swine flu vaccine 'approved' UK swine flu vaccine 'approved'
(11 minutes later)
The European drugs regulator has given the go-ahead for one of the UK's swine flu vaccines.The European drugs regulator has given the go-ahead for one of the UK's swine flu vaccines.
An expert committee agreed that Pandemrix, made by GlaxoSmithKline, can be used in adults and children over six months old and pregnant women.An expert committee agreed that Pandemrix, made by GlaxoSmithKline, can be used in adults and children over six months old and pregnant women.
The decision removes one of the last obstacles to getting the immunisation programme under way although licensing still needs to be formalised.The decision removes one of the last obstacles to getting the immunisation programme under way although licensing still needs to be formalised.
The UK has bought 60 million doses of the vaccine.The UK has bought 60 million doses of the vaccine.
In addition, there are contracts for an as yet unapproved vaccine, Celvapan, produced by Baxter.In addition, there are contracts for an as yet unapproved vaccine, Celvapan, produced by Baxter.
It means the UK has provision for up to 132 million doses - enough for every person in the country.It means the UK has provision for up to 132 million doses - enough for every person in the country.
This is a positive step towards getting full licences for vaccine to protect the public. Department of Health spokesman We plan to start vaccination in October, subject to vaccine being licensed and manufacturers' delivery schedules Department of Health spokesman
A vaccine made by Novartis, Focetria, has also been approved by the European Medicines Agency. A vaccine made by Novartis, Focetria, has also been approved for licensing by the European Medicines Agency - but this is not planned to be used in the UK.
Final marketing authorisation for the vaccines will be signed off by the European Commission and is expected shortly. Final marketing authorisation for the vaccines still needs to be signed off by the European Commission and is expected "shortly".
The vaccines have undergone an accelerated approval process as "mock-ups" of the vaccine had already been developed in preparation for a pandemic and tested in 6,000 people.The vaccines have undergone an accelerated approval process as "mock-ups" of the vaccine had already been developed in preparation for a pandemic and tested in 6,000 people.
Manufacturers have worked quickly to add the swine flu H1N1 strain to the mock versions.Manufacturers have worked quickly to add the swine flu H1N1 strain to the mock versions.
Early trial data had suggested good immune responses with just one dose of the vaccine. Early trial data had suggested good immune responses with just one dose of the vaccines.
However, the EMEA is recommending two doses are given three weeks apart, but may revisit that decision as more clinical trials are carried out. However, the EMEA is recommending two doses are given three weeks apart for both vaccines, but may revisit that decision as more clinical trials are carried out.
Rising casesRising cases
The number of new cases of swine flu in England has almost doubled over the last seven days to 9,000, official figures show.The number of new cases of swine flu in England has almost doubled over the last seven days to 9,000, official figures show.
In Scotland, the new weekly figures showed a slight increase from 6,180 to 7,034.In Scotland, the new weekly figures showed a slight increase from 6,180 to 7,034.
Although the figures are rising, they are still far short of the 100,000 cases a week seen in July.Although the figures are rising, they are still far short of the 100,000 cases a week seen in July.
Officials are still predicting a second wave of swine flu as winter approaches.Officials are still predicting a second wave of swine flu as winter approaches.
But they hope to begin a vaccination programme sometime next month.But they hope to begin a vaccination programme sometime next month.
High-risk individuals and front-line NHS staff have been prioritised for the vaccine.High-risk individuals and front-line NHS staff have been prioritised for the vaccine.
Those eligible include anyone aged between six months and 65 years who usually gets the seasonal flu jab because of a chronic illness such as asthma, pregnant women, and people who live with those whose immune systems are compromised, such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS.Those eligible include anyone aged between six months and 65 years who usually gets the seasonal flu jab because of a chronic illness such as asthma, pregnant women, and people who live with those whose immune systems are compromised, such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS.
It will also be offered initially to people aged 65 who are at high-risk of complications because of an underlying illness.It will also be offered initially to people aged 65 who are at high-risk of complications because of an underlying illness.
A further decision on who else may be vaccinated once these groups have been targeted is yet to be made.A further decision on who else may be vaccinated once these groups have been targeted is yet to be made.
A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "We are pleased that the European regulator has recommended that the GSK vaccine should be granted a licence by the European Commission. A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "This is a welcome step forward in our plans for tackling swine flu - but we are still dependant on production and delivery of sufficient vaccine to start protecting people.
"This is a positive step towards getting full licences for vaccine to protect the public. "We plan to start vaccination in October, subject to vaccine being licensed and manufacturers' delivery schedules.
"The European Commission must now consider the recommendations and we hope for their decision as quickly as possible." "This is not the Department of Health's schedule - it is led by the manufacturers."
SafetySafety
Concerns have been raised about the safety of the vaccines given the speed of the approval process.Concerns have been raised about the safety of the vaccines given the speed of the approval process.
But the EMEA stressed that decades of experience with seasonal influenza vaccines indicate that adding a new strain in should not substantially affect safety.But the EMEA stressed that decades of experience with seasonal influenza vaccines indicate that adding a new strain in should not substantially affect safety.
Both vaccines the Agency have recommended for licensing contain an adjuvant - a chemical which boosts the immune response - but this too has been tested in thousands of people, it said.
Further clinical trials are being done and Pandemrix is being tested in 9,000 children, elderly and healthy adult volunteers.Further clinical trials are being done and Pandemrix is being tested in 9,000 children, elderly and healthy adult volunteers.
The first results from a trial of the vaccine in Germany suggested a good response after one dose.The first results from a trial of the vaccine in Germany suggested a good response after one dose.
The EMEA added that with all medicines, adverse events may be detected once the vaccine is used in large numbers of people.The EMEA added that with all medicines, adverse events may be detected once the vaccine is used in large numbers of people.
UK regulators have set up a special portal on the website for reporting any problems with swine flu medicines and vaccines when they begin to be used.UK regulators have set up a special portal on the website for reporting any problems with swine flu medicines and vaccines when they begin to be used.