How much time does it take to develop and produce an influenza vaccine?

Answer:

The influenza vaccine production process is long and complicated. Traditional influenza vaccine production for the U.S. relies on long-standing technology based on chicken eggs. This production technology is labor-intensive and takes up to 9 months from start to finish.

The flu vaccine production process is further complicated by the fact that influenza virus strains continually evolve. Thus, seasonal flu vaccines must be modified each year to match the strains of the virus that are known to be in circulation among humans around the world. As a result of this constant viral evolution, seasonal influenza vaccines cannot be stockpiled year to year.

The appearance of an influenza pandemic virus would likely require creation of a vaccine. Researchers are making and testing possible H5N1 vaccines now.

Large amounts of vaccine cannot be made before knowing exactly which virus will cause the pandemic. It could then take up to 6 months before a vaccine is available and in only limited amounts at first. Research is underway to make vaccines more quickly.

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Last Updated: 03/21/2007