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News Release

HHS PURCHASES ADDITIONAL 375,000 DOSES OF FLU VACCINE NEGOTIATES BEST PRICE FOR FLUMIST PURCHASES

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced the purchase of 375,000 additional doses of flu vaccine. The vaccine should arrive in January. Secretary Thompson also announced that HHS had negotiated a contract for 3 million doses of FluMist that state and local health departments can purchase if needed. The FluMist is available immediately.

"This additional vaccine is being made available as part of our ongoing effort to meet the demand for vaccine due in large part to an early arrival of flu season. With this purchase, HHS has acquired remaining stock from both of the manufacturers who produced injectable vaccine for the United States this year," Secretary Thompson said. "These doses are part of the stock that was developed for the U.S., licensed and approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration."

The 375,000 doses of flu vaccine were purchased from UK based drug manufacturer Chiron. The Chiron vaccine is an extra supply of a vaccine already licensed by the FDA and in use in the United States. While currently in bulk form, the HHS purchase will allow it to be packaged and available for use in January. The vaccine will be made available for state and local purchase according to an allocation system designed to ensure equitable distribution of vaccine. FluMist is manufactured by MedImmune in the U.S. and distributed by Wyeth. It is FDA approved for use in healthy individuals from 5-49 years old.

"With the flu season fully upon us we should all take steps to protect ourselves and others from getting the flu," Secretary Thompson said. "Things like cleaning your hands frequently and covering our mouth when we cough or sneeze will help keep us healthy."

HHS recommends the following steps for the public to prevent the spread of the flu:

• Clean your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Teach children the same healthy habits.
• If you have the flu or any cold, try not to infect others. Cover your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze, and promptly discard used facial tissues. Refrain from visiting a nursing home if you have flu like symptoms.
• If you are ill, stay home from work or school until you recover. For more information please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last Revised: December 15, 2003