Monday, December 28, 2009

USDA Approves First H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine for Pigs!


Pfizer H1N1 Vaccine Approved
USDA approves first swine vaccine.

Published: Dec 24, 2009 by FarmProgress

Pfizer Animal Health said its swine influenza vaccine, a killed virus vaccine developed and made at its plant in Lincoln, Neb., has been approved by USDA for vaccination of healthy swine, including pregnant sows and gilts, three weeks of age or older against subtype H1N1. Pfizer becomes the first U.S. biologics manufacturer to receive a USDA conditional license for this new vaccine. Because the product license is conditional, efficacy and/or potency of this product have not been fully demonstrated.


Pfizer says the new vaccine is a freeze-dried preparation and requires a 2-millileter dose and a booster after three weeks. Pfizer said it has built an adequate inventory of this new vaccine to ensure supply in pork-producing states. Local use of the new pH1N1 vaccine requires the approval of state veterinarians and Pfizer said it is working to achieve state-by-state approvals.


Steve Sornsen, director of veterinary services for Pfizer Animal Health, said serologic studies showed an increase in antibody titers against the pandemic H1N1 strain. Pfizer advised its producers to consult their veterinarian on the use of this new conditionally-licensed vaccine, as well as continue to follow American Association of Swine Veterinarians and National Pork Producers Council recommendations for routine flu preventive measures.


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