Governments vie for GSK flu vaccine

LONDON Several governments have placed orders with GlaxoSmithKline for a candidate vaccine for the A (H1N1) influenza virus, popularly known as swine flu, the British drug maker announced.

GSK said it will manufacture the new vaccine once the World Health Organization makes the virus seed available, and it expects the first doses to be available six months later.

As of Monday, the influenza strain had infected 5,123 people and caused five deaths in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many public health experts fear that the virus could mutate and return in more virulent form when the Northern Hemisphere enters its flu season later in the year.