Vaccine manufacturers and drug makers are racing with one another in their respective swine flu vaccine development and production before fall which is the estimated start of the next flu season. Another possible flu outbreak is expected.
Ordinarily, an adjuvant ‘can include various forms of aluminum and are typically used with other vaccines in the United States’ such as those for hepatitis A and B, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). ‘In a flu vaccine, the adjuvant would be a water-oil mixture.’
According to Dr. David Fedson, formerly a professor of medicine at the University of Virginia and former medical director for the pharmaceutical company Aventis Pasteur, “It’s something that allows the immune system to respond with higher levels of effectiveness.” It is used to help ‘reduce the amount of the vaccine itself that is needed.’ In other words, it is a booster that will extend vaccine supplies.
This early, there is fear about whether there will be enough swine flu vaccines in the future. ‘Adjuvants can allow dosing to be much smaller.’ According to Fedson, “By adding an adjuvant, you gain what is known as an antigen sparing effect.”
But US domestic health care is different from international health care. It is said that ‘no flu vaccine approved for use in the United States has ever contained an adjuvant.’ The initial trials of swine flu vaccine in the US will come in doses without adjuvant.
As for other countries, especially the developing nations, the use of adjuvant might be necessary so as to extend supply. The world is aware that whoever has the production capability for swine flu vaccine will also logically get priority over supplies.
Via abc news
