Swine H1N1 vaccine receives conditional license

Washington

-- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued its first conditional license for a pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine for swine to Pfizer Animal Health. The vaccine is intended to protect pigs from developing the virus.

"USDA and its partners in animal health have worked hard to expedite the development of a vaccine for the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus," said Cindy Smith, administrator of the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). "This vaccine will help producers protect their swine herds and protect themselves from economic losses in the event that their herds contract this virus."

The conditional license will last for one year, at which point the USDA will review data on the vaccine's performance to determine whether the conditional license should be extended or whether a regular license can be granted.