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. For general queries, please email to GISN@who.int

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. Email queries to: rdonis@cdc.gov
• 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. Email queries to: enquiries@nibsc.ac.uk
• 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. Email queries to: zhiping.ye@fda.hhs.gov
• 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. Email queries to: richard.webby@stjude.org
• 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. Email queries: mtashiro@nih.go.jp
• CSL Limited, Australia, from A/California/4/2009(H1N1)swl and A/California/7/2009(H1N1)swl. Expected availability not yet known. Email queries: Peter.Schoofs@csl.com.au

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. Email queries: enquiries@nibsc.ac.uk
• New York Medical College, USA, from A/California/7/2009(H1N1)swl. Expected availability not yet known. Email queries: DORIS.BUCHER@NYMC.EDU
• CSL Limited, Australia, from A/California/7/2009(H1N1)swl. Expected availability not yet known. Email queries: Peter.Schoofs@csl.com.au

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

• ERL NIBSC, UK. Email queries to: enquiries@nibsc.ac.uk
• ERL CBER FDA, USA. Email queries to: zhiping.ye@fda.hhs.gov
• ERL, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia. Email queries: gary.grohmann@health.gov.au
• ERL NIID, Japan. Email queries: mtashiro@nih.go.jp

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