Ottawa signs $425-million deal for vaccine if pandemic flu strikes

The federal government has announced a new 10-year pandemic flu vaccine contract with GlaxoSmithKline, valued at more than $425-million. The contract is intended to ensure a secure supply of vaccine for Canadians in the event of a future influenza pandemic and reduce the possibility of delays in delivery and distribution. The vaccine will be made at the company’s facility in Ste-Foy, Que. And this time around, the government has also signed a three-year contract with Sanofi Pasteur Ltd. of Toronto to provide access to a back-up supply of pandemic vaccine if needed. That contract is worth just over $33-million and would provide an alternate source of vaccine to treat vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women and those suffering from chronic diseases. The government says the two contracts, along with a three-year deal with Novartis worth almost $50-million, will also provide the provinces and...