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 30 August 2008 15:37 BST

GSK bird flu vaccine given EU approval

Monday, 19 May 2008 10:26
GSK has EU approval to market its avian flu vaccine

Health In Focus 

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has been given approval from the European Union to market its avian flu vaccine in all member states.

The company is the first to obtain a European licence for a pre-pandemic vaccine and says the decision is a "significant step" towards improving the world's ability to cope with a flu pandemic.

Its pre-pandemic vaccine, Prepandrix, is based on the currently circulating avian H5N1 flu virus likely to cause a pandemic.

H5N1 flu infections can lead to severe disease in both birds and humans.

The World Health Organisation has reported 382 human cases of H5N1 infection from 14 countries, resulting in 241 deaths, and public health experts fear that this virus may evolve into a strain that is easily transmitted between people, triggering a worldwide pandemic.

"Pre-pandemic vaccination is an important strategy for addressing the current threat of a pandemic posed by H5N1," said Jean Stephenne, president and general Manager GSK Biologicals.

"GSK welcomes the EU approval for Prepandrix and remains committed to actively work with governments on their pandemic preparedness plans to help protect against the potentially devastating impact of a pandemic."
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