GlaxoSmithKline offers European flu vaccine update

GlaxoSmithKline has announced that so far this autumn, half a million people across Europe have already been administered its H1N1 vaccine as part of various government programmes designed to curb the spread of the virus.

The firm has also disclosed the results of a further trial into the vaccine ? Pandemrix – which showed that after the first dose in adults aged between 18 and 85, a generally strong immune response was achieved.

This result applies across all of these age groups, as candidates exceeded the immunogenicity criteria as defined by international licensing authorities for a pandemic influenza vaccine.

Jean Stephenne, president of GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, commented: “These data are very important for those in government who need to continually assess new data in light of the current global public health challenge.”

Meanwhile, another vaccine developed by GlaxoSmithKline – its cervical cancer product Cervarix – has been recommended by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices for use in girls and young women.