Sanofi Pasteur receives additional order for H1N1 vaccine

SWIFTWATER, Pa. The vaccines division of a drug maker has received an additional order of the H1N1 vaccine from the United States government.

Sanofi Pasteur announced Monday that the company has received an additional order from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to produce vaccine to help protect against the influenza A(H1N1) virus. The new order is for the production of bulk antigen equivalent to 27.3 million doses based on 15 mcg of antigen per dose. Specifications for formulation and filling of this new bulk order will be the subject of a separate order. To date, Sanofi Pasteur has committed to the U.S. government a total of 75.3 million doses of the vaccine.

"We are pleased to be able to support the U.S. government's pandemic response efforts through the production of additional doses of A (H1N1) vaccine," said Wayne Pisano, president and CEO of Sanofi Pasteur. "As the only company manufacturing inactivated influenza vaccine in the U.S., we recognize the important role Sanofi Pasteur serves in the country's pandemic response plan and we have committed our resources to responding to our public health needs."

Sanofi Pasteur operates influenza vaccine production facilities in the U.S. and in France. Production of the new A (H1N1) vaccine for HHS is being performed at the company's U.S.-based production facility.