Flu vaccine licence re-instated

The UK Government has lifted its suspension of the manufacturing licence of major flu vaccine maker Chiron.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency suspended the company's licence to manufacture Fluvirin last October.

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  • There were concerns about contamination of supplies produced at the company's flu vaccine plant in Liverpool.

    But the Department of Health annouced on Wednesday that these concerns had now been addressed.

    The suspension sparked fears of a severe shortage of flu vaccines both in the UK, and the US.

    Chiron was responsible for almost half of the US supply of flu vaccines.

    MHRA inspectors have been working closely alongside the company since the suspension was imposed.

    In a statement, the Department of Health said: "The MHRA inspectors have concluded that satisfactory progress has been made in the manufacturing areas which had previously caused concern."

    Health Secretary John Reid welcomed the decision to lift the suspension.

    He said: "This is an important first step towards Chiron resuming manufacture of their flu vaccine.

    "Protecting public health must be our priority and safety must always be put first.

    "That is why MHRA have thoroughly inspected the plant where this vaccine is manufactured so that we can be confident that it meets the required standards of safety and quality."

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  • Impact fears

    Following the suspension, doctors warned it could have a significant impact on the UK jabs programme, with some GP surgeries having to cancel immunisation clinics.

    However, the Department of Health said contingency plans had been made to ensure adequate stocks would be available to meet any potential shortfall.

    It said of the 14 million doses of flu vaccine they had ordered, Chiron had only been due to supply 2.4 million.

    Last August, Chiron announced that millions of flu vaccines made in Liverpool were contaminated, and delayed shipment to the US until October.

    Chiron makes a total of four flu vaccines: Agrippal, Begrivac, Fluad and Fluvirin, but only the last is produced in the UK.

    BBC