GSK anticipates delivery of at least half of shipments by the end of August
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GlaxoSmithKline
(NYSE: GSK) today announced that it will begin shipment of FLULAVAL(R)
[Influenza Virus Vaccine] and FLUARIX(R) [Influenza Virus Vaccine] to U.S.
customers for the 2008-2009 influenza season. The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration's (FDA) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER)
released the first lots of FLULAVAL and FLUARIX, allowing distribution to
begin. GSK plans to supply the U.S. market with approximately 35 million
doses of the two products combined -- an increase from last year, when GSK
contributed approximately 33 million doses.
GSK anticipates delivery of at least half of its influenza vaccines by the
end of August and the vast majority to be shipped to customers by the end of
September.
'GSK is committed to continually raising awareness of the role of
influenza vaccination in helping to keep people healthy,' said David Pernock,
Senior Vice President, GlaxoSmithKline. 'We are excited to play an integral
part in helping adults protect themselves against this serious infection.'
FLUARIX is available for purchase on GSKVaccinesDirect.com. FLULAVAL is
available for purchase on GSKVaccinesDirect.com or through three distributors
-- Henry Schein, Inc., McKesson Medical-Surgical and ASD Specialty Healthcare.
About Influenza
Influenza, or the flu, is primarily passed from one person to another
through the air by droplets released when an infected individual coughs or
sneezes, but may also be spread by direct contact with flu virus-contaminated
surfaces.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
annual flu vaccination is the most effective method for preventing flu virus
infection and its complications. The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccination
for anyone who wishes to reduce their risk of contracting the flu --
especially adults over 50 years of age, women who will be pregnant during the
flu season and anyone with chronic health conditions, such as heart disease,
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes. The CDC
also recommends annual vaccination for caregivers and household contacts of
these high-risk groups, such as relatives and healthcare workers. In fact,
approximately 83 percent of the U.S. population is included in one or more of
the target groups that the CDC recommends to receive the vaccination; however,
less than 40 percent of the U.S. population received a flu vaccination during
2007-2008.
The beginning, severity and length of the flu season can vary widely from
year to year.
