French company Sanofi Pasteur could begin pumping out flu vaccine from its new plant in Swiftwater, PA, as early as next year.
The vaccine coming from this new $150 million plant would boost the supply of vaccine for the annual flu season and also provide a source of vaccine in the event of a flu pandemic. Seniors represent one of the most vulnerable populations during flu season. More than 100 million doses of flu vaccine are expected to be available nationwide for the 2007-08 season.
The new plant is expected to churn out 100 million doses for the annual flu season. Sanofi also has an older plant, built in the 1970s, that produces the only flu vaccine made entirely in the United States. It produces 50 million doses each year.
