U.S. tries to counter some delay in swine flu shots

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government is taking steps to counter a new delay in the arrival of swine flu vaccine, hunting factories that can get more of the precious liquid into syringes, faster.

“We’re trying to bring on more manufacturing” for the packaging step that has emerged as a logjam, said Dr. Robin Robinson, the Department of Health and Human Services official in charge of vaccine procurement. “Hopefully, there are ways to bring that number up.”

HHS has long predicted it would have 120 million doses on hand by Oct. 15, but now expects just 45 million by that date. It now appears to be more of a delay than a shortage: More will arrive rapidly, about 20 million more doses shipped every week, by Robinson’s new calculations.

If that’s the case, there should be 85 million doses on hand by October’s end, and the full 195 million the government has ordered by December, the long-set date for final delivery.