The WHO posted an update titled “Status of candidate vaccine virus development for the current Influenza A(H1N1) virus”

Publication date: 8 May 2009:

For the current influenza A(H1N1) virus, WHO Collaborating Centres for influenza (WHO CCs), Essential Regulatory Laboratories (ERLs) and other institutions are developing candidate vaccine viruses under the coordination of WHO1. Once a vaccine virus is available, WHO will announce the availability on its public website2.

Candidate vaccine viruses using reverse genetics technology are being developed by:

– WHO CC in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta USA, from A/California/4/2009(H1N1)swl. Expected availability end of May.

– ERL in the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), UK, from A/California/7/2009(H1N1)swl and A/England/195/2009 (H1N1)swl. Expected availability end of May.

– ERL in the Centre for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) USA, from A/California/4/2009(H1N1)swl and A/Texas/5/2009(H1N1)swl. Expected availability not yet known.

– WHO CC at the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis USA, from A/California/4/2009(H1N1)swl, A/New York/20/2009(H1N1)swl and A/Ohio/7/2009 (H1N1)swl. Expected availability not yet known.

– WHO CC at National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Japan, from A/California/4/2009(H1N1)swl and A/California/7/2009(H1N1)swl. Expected availability not yet known.

– CSL Limited, Australia, from A/California/4/2009(H1N1)swl and A/California/7/2009(H1N1)swl. Expected availability not yet known.

Candidate vaccine viruses using classical reassortment technology are being developed by:

– ERL NIBSC, UK, from A/California/7/2009(H1N1)swl, an egg virus isolate. Expected availability not yet known.

– New York Medical College, USA, from A/California/7/2009(H1N1)swl. Expected availability not yet known.

– CSL Limited, Australia, from A/California/7/2009(H1N1)swl. Expected availability not yet known.

Development of vaccine potency reagents for inactivated vaccines against Influenza A(H1N1) is planned in:

– ERL NIBSC, UK.

– ERL CBER FDA, USA. Email

– ERL, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia.

– ERL NIID, Japan.

Wild type viruses have been/ are being sent to vaccine manufacturers on request including:

– Baxter, CSL Limited, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, MedImmune, Microgen, Nobilon International, Novartis, Omninvest Vaccines, Pasteur, Solvay and Vivaldi.

1 WHO coordinates WHO CCs, National Influenza Centers and ERLs. This Network is monitoring the evolution of influenza viruses, both seasonal and those with potential to cause a pandemic, including the current influenza A(H1N1). The Network also provides recommendations and updates on diagnostics, monitors the susceptibility of emerging influenza viruses to antiviral drugs, and selects, develops and distributes vaccine viruses.
2 http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/swineflu/vaccine_virus_development/en/index.html