Another idea is to replace one of the three viruses in the seasonal vaccine with swine flu virus. But "what would you be giving up?" Marasco said. They would have to consider, he said, how many extra people might get sick from regular, seasonal flu because of that decision.
Production of the seasonal vaccine is already moving forward, and Besser said the agency would like to avoid any delays. The vaccine usually becomes available to public health clinics in September and is first administered to people at highest risk for complications from flu, such as nursing home residents.
It would be difficult to reconfigure the seasonal flu vaccine because of the time manufacturers need to create it, said Dave Daigle, a CDC spokesman. Even getting the order for the vaccine in April or May "cuts it very close for them."
Scientists are working on technology that would allow flu vaccines to be manufactured somewhat faster than the current method. Though the egg approach is reliable and has worked well for decades, it is ill suited to a potential pandemic and the increase in vaccine demand that comes with it.
"The disadvantage is you're dependent on the roosters and hens to produce your substrate for flu vaccine every year," said Dr. Edwin D. Kilbourne, a virologist and infectious disease specialist who is retired from New York Medical College.
The birds aren't able to lay more eggs in accordance with the world's need for flu vaccine, he said.
The CDC could instead order a separate swine flu vaccine. Scientists would try to combine a sample of the current swine flu strain with another virus that is proven to multiply quickly in eggs, Kilbourne said. The resulting strain would churn out thousands of copies of the virus that are genetically matched to the one sickening people now.
If two flu vaccines are produced, it's likely that the CDC would recommend both to at least some groups of people, Daigle said.
But health officials would need to wait and see what transpires with the swine flu outbreak over the next few months.
"We would say, definitely protect yourself with a seasonal influenza shot," Daigle said. "We're not sure what will happen with this swine flu."
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shari.roan@latimes.com
karen.kaplan@latimes.com
