The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Thursday that ppharmaceutical companies will only be able to produce about 3 billion doses of swine flu vaccine a year. While that sounds like a lot, that's billions less than was originally expected.
The WHO had previously predicted that companies would be able to make up to 5 billion doses each year. However, lately companies have indicated that swine flu protection may only require one dose for many people.
The WHO said that poorer countries may have difficulty receiving enough vaccine, mostly because much of the global supply has already been reserved by (ahem) rich countries, such as the U.S. However, the WHO did praise a group of nine nations (including the U.S.) which last week agreed to donate a share of their swine flu vaccine supply to developing nations.
The WHO said it would be coordinating the distribution of the donated vaccine doses. It will start with an estimated 300 million doses in November.
The WHO also noted concerns over possible side effects of the new vaccine. It said that the side effects will most likely be similar to those of seasonal flu vaccines that we normally get.
The side effects would include soreness, swelling, redness, fever, headache and muscle or joint aches, lasting 1 - 2 days, according to the WHO.
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