GSK also assists with fully effective flu doses

17 March 2005

GSK also assists with fully effective flu doses available to NZers.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has agreed to supply 8,000 doses of a fully effective influenza vaccine to New Zealanders.

The 8,000 doses add to 50,000 already secured from Solvay, and 100,000 from CSL.

PHARMAC Medical Director Dr Peter Moodie says the GSK offer helps, and brings the stocks of fully effective influenza vaccine up to 158,000 doses.

“We are delighted that GSK has been able to make this stock available to New Zealand,” Dr Moodie says.

“PHARMAC and the Ministry of Health are working hard in our continued search for alternative supplies of vaccine.” Dr Moodie says.

The stocks of vaccines that are fully effective against the three influenza strains required for the 2005 flu season add to the doses of vaccine to be supplied by Sanofi-Pasteur. The Sanofi-Pasteur vaccine is effective against two of the three strains, and partially effective against a third.

ENDS

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