Swine flu: Argentine President launches tender for vaccine production

President Cristina Fernandez  announced the call for tenders for the establishment of a plant where the vaccine against swine flu will be produced locally, through an agreement between two foreign laboratories and a national.

The President signed decree 1731 which declared of “national interest” the project to produce the vaccine in the country, which will be possible through an agreement between laboratories Novartis, Elea and Biogenesis-Bago.

Local production would be starting in 2010, according to the Ministry of Health, and Argentina will join the countries that already manufacture the vaccine, which aree the United States, Switzerland, France, England, Italy, Japan, China and India.

The project will involve the installation of a high-technology industrial complex, which will require an investment of at least US$ 50 million, according to official estimates.

The plant will be about 3,400 square meters large, divided into a non-bio-safe area of 1,800 square meters, and the laboratory with biosafety level BLS2, of 1,600 square meters.

The ceremony took place after 11 o’clock in the Hall of Scientists of the Government House, with the assistance of the Ministers of Health, Juan Manzur; Science Technology and Productive Innovation, Lino Barañao;  Industry, Debora Giorgi, and many scientists and special guests.

Producing the vaccine will enable Argentina to carry out vaccination campaigns in advance in order to include the whole population.