Posted on 10/06/2004 6:15:28 AM PDT by snopercod
The British government delivered a major blow to the U.S. health prospects this winter when it shuttered Chiron's (CHIR) flu vaccine shipments, leaving a significant shortage that sent U.S. health officials scrambling.
The only other major supplier, Aventis (AVE), a unit of Sanofi-Aventis (SNY), appears able cover only another 10% from its inventory, and there are doubts about that. Medimmune (MEDI) can produce only 2 million flu vaccine doses out of about 100 million needed.
Flu season begins in November. Flu shots are usually given in October. It takes six months to bring a production cycle up to par.
Some 36,000 in the U.S. die from flu and flu-related problems annually, and this is with the presence of vaccine. Most of those dying are senior citizens. The flu results in the hospitalization of more than 100,000. Some 142 children died last year.
(Excerpt) Read more at investors.com ...
This will become a huge problem in another month.
I have a theory that the Flu is actually spread by the Flu vaccine.
I've never been vaccinated and never had the Flu. Nor has anyone in my family (either kids, in-laws, or parents and uncles and aunts and cousins).
Outsourcing hurts America again.
Count your blessings. They are stronger than your theory. ;)
From last year: BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON RESPONSIBLE FOR INFLUENZA VACCINE SHORTAGE
And from 2000: Clinton Highlights International Vaccine Efforts in State of the Union Speech
From last year: BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON RESPONSIBLE FOR INFLUENZA VACCINE SHORTAGE
And from 2000: Clinton Highlights International Vaccine Efforts in State of the Union Speech
oopsie...
Chiron is not a U.K. corporation. It is from California. U.K. barred importation of the shipments from the U.S.
Not outsourcing. Just shoddy work right here in the good ole U.S.A.
Why is Heaven's name does America have to depend on a foreign company for such things as vaccines? This seems to be a threat to our national security. If an enemy wanted to effectively attack America, they could now just release a strain of the flu and disable millions of people, not to mention cripple our health care system and the economy.
My theory is that the vaccine does precisely zip.
If you want to avoid flu take vitamin C. At least 1000 mg a day, every day (or instead, eat the right sort of fruits).
Also avoid immunodepressant substances (such as anything with loads of sugar in it).
With this simple regime I haven't had a sick day in three years. Highly recommended.
"Britain stopped manufacturing at Chiron's Liverpool plant which produces Fluvirin, due to manufacturing problems, including "possible contamination," and suspended all sales in the U.K. for three months or shipments out of the country."
It appears that Chiron did indeed outsource manufacturing to Great Britain.
BOOKMARK FOR LATER
The RATS will blame Bush; the media will spin this out of proportion.
"I have a theory that the Flu is actually spread by the Flu vaccine."
Your theory has absolutely no basis in fact. I knew a guy drank Jack Daniels everyday and never got the flu. Don't make it a cause and effect relationship. The flu shot does not have live virus in it. It is IMPOSSIBLE to get the flu from the shot.
Not to mention the fact that this is revealed just when the vaccine is needed.
There are some industries which are strategically critical to U.S. sovereignty and must not be outsourced no matter what. What if, at a critical moment in war, our supplier of parts for weapons systems decides at the last minute that they can't ( or won't ) supply our troops?
"I have a theory that the Flu is actually spread by the Flu vaccine.
I've never been vaccinated and never had the Flu."
As my daughter would say, "My Bad". You are correct. Chiron bought the facility that manufacturers the vaccine several years back. Found that here:
Chiron shares, credibility suffer
BIOTECH FIRM'S STOCK VALUE DECLINES 16%
By Paul Jacobs
Mercury News
Chiron's share price dipped and its credibility suffered a devastating blow Tuesday when the British government blocked the company's plans to deliver up to 48 million doses of flu vaccine to the United States just as the nation's flu season is starting.
The decision comes just days after the Emeryville company's chief executive assured Congress that it had resolved problems at its Liverpool, England plant that had delayed distribution of its Fluviron vaccine.
Chiron Chief Executive Officer Howard Pien said he and others at the company were surprised early Tuesday to learn that British regulators would deny a license to the vaccine.
He said earnings for 2004 would drop sharply as a result, prompting a 16 percent drop in Chiron shares.
In separate news conferences, Chiron executives and U.S. public health officials made it clear that the British regulators had been much more aggressive than their U.S. counterparts in identifying problems at the manufacturing facility.
That plant, acquired by Chiron a year ago, is the only source of the company's vaccine for the United States; it produced almost half of the flu vaccine U.S. officials were expecting for the coming flu season.
``This is a painful event for Chiron,'' Pien said. ``We profoundly regret we will be unable to meet public health needs this influenza season.''........
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/9847813.htm?1c
Thanks for making me dig a little deeper.
"Why is Heaven's name does America have to depend on a foreign company for such things as vaccines? This seems to be a threat to our national security. "
Contamination. Bioterrorism?
MRE manufacturer in McLelan Texas caught hiring illeagal aliens carrying false papers (ID'd by terrorist suspect).
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