"Our philosophy is to maintain flexibility in our influenza vaccine production, to enable us to answer public health needs wherever they are," said Pisano. "We know that seasonal influenza remains a global threat, and in many countries, especially developing countries, H5N1 is still a greater threat than A(H1N1). To this end, we continue our active discussions with WHO and governments around the world to ensure the accessibility of our life-saving vaccines to the greatest number of people."

Sanofi Pasteur operates influenza vaccine production facilities in Swiftwater, Pa. and Val de Reuil, France.

In Swiftwater, Sanofi Pasteur has two licensed influenza production facilities. On May 6, 2009, the FDA licensed Sanofi Pasteur's new influenza vaccine manufacturing facility in Swiftwater. When operating at full capacity, the new facility will have a capacity of approximately 100 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccine per year. An existing facility in Swiftwater is capable of producing 50 million doses per year and currently is producing vaccine for the 2009/2010 season. In total, the company will have a capacity equivalent to approximately 150 million doses of trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine per year in the United States when both facilities are operating at full capacity. The A(H1N1) production can occur in both Swiftwater facilities.

In Val De Reuil, Sanofi Pasteur is currently producing the trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine for the 2009/2010 season, with the capacity of 120 million doses per year. Sanofi Pasteur's production facility in Val De Reuil is also capable of producing the new A(H1N1) vaccine.

Sanofi Pasteur produces approximately 40 percent of the influenza vaccines distributed worldwide and in the United States produced more than 45 percent of the influenza vaccines distributed for the 2008/2009 influenza season. The company also has developed the first and only U.S.-licensed avian influenza vaccine for humans. More information about Sanofi Pasteur's pandemic preparedness efforts can be found at www.pandemic.influenza.

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