Vaccine can be ready in July

China is expecting to produce its first batch of A/H1N1 influenza vaccine by the end of July. Four drug manufacturers now have the seed virus.

China is expecting to produce its first batch of A/H1N1 influenza  vaccine by the end of July. Four drug manufacturers now have the  seed virus.

The State Food and Drug Administration will assess and then approve vaccine producers from a list of candidates. Eleven Mainland companies are eligible. Should all of them get the go-ahead, they can produce some three million doses in the first batch and a third of a billion annually. The SFDA will supervise and monitor the research, manufacturing and distribution process. It will also test the vaccine's safety and effectiveness.