GSK signs pandemic flu vaccine agreement with UK government

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced that it has signed an agreement with the UK government to make available its pandemic influenza vaccine available in the event of a pandemic.

Under the terms of this advance supply agreement – one of the largest such deals for its proprietary adjuvanted pandemic influenza vaccine – the company has pledged to supply its vaccine product as soon as possible after the declaration of a pandemic.

Furthermore, the company announced plans to make available a vaccine tailored to the specific pandemic strain, when it is identified and made available by the World Health Organisation.

Andrew Witty, president of GSK Pharmaceuticals Europe, said: “This agreement underlines GSK’s commitment to supporting the UK government in its plans against a possible influenza pandemic.

“Vaccines are considered to be the single most important intervention for preventing influenza infection and reducing spread of the disease.”

He added that vaccines are a vital constituent part of response plans to reduce the impact of a pandemic, while the firm believes that securing a supply of vaccine is a key step towards achieving pandemic preparedness.

Earlier this month, GSK reported that it is committed to responding to the global threat of an influenza pandemic, with the firm continuing to fulfill orders received for its H5N1 clade 2 bulk antigen vaccine.