Sanofi pasteur to supply H5N1 vaccines to WHO stockpile

Sanofi pasteur has announced that it is ready to supply a significant number of doses of H5N1 vaccine for the establishment of an international stockpile through a World Health Organization (WHO) partnership.

Part of this supply could be made available immediately, in bulk form.

"We have been part of the influenza vaccine history for half of a century and are pleased today to continue to partner with WHO to combat one of the world's critical public health threats" said Jean-Francois Dehecq, Chairman of sanofi-aventis. "Above and beyond this vital initiative with the international community and with WHO, we are actively pursuing further moves that are intended to increase influenza vaccine supply for countries in the developing world, enabling us to provide a meaningful contribution to global pandemic preparedness".

Sanofi pasteur's leadership position in developing and producing influenza vaccines places the company at the forefront of readiness against the threat of pandemic influenza. The company is committed to playing a leading role in case of a pandemic and sees its contribution in producing as many doses of sanofi pasteur's most advanced vaccine in the shortest possible timeframe, should a pandemic be declared by the world's health authorities.

Influenza is a disease caused by a highly infectious virus that spreads easily from person to person, primarily when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. An influenza pandemic is a global epidemic of an especially virulent virus, newly infectious for humans, and for which there is no preexisting immunity. This is why pandemic strains have such potential to cause severe morbidity and mortality. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the next pandemic is likely to result in 1 to 2.3 million hospitalizations and 280,000 to 650,000 deaths in industrialized nations alone. Its impact is expected to be even more devastating in developing countries. In an attempt to minimize the impact of a pandemic, many countries are developing national and transnational plans against a possible influenza pandemic situation.

Sanofi pasteur is committed to global pandemic preparedness. As the world leader in research, development and manufacturing of influenza vaccine, sanofi pasteur is actively involved in projects in the U.S. and Europe, with the goal of developing a vaccine to protect against a pandemic influenza virus.

Sanofi pasteur is also investing in major expansions of its influenza vaccine production facilities in the U.S. and France.