A national vaccination program to prevent swine flu will begin in three weeks, now that the Food and Drug Administration has approved four vaccines against the disease. Preliminary data indicates that one dose should be enough to provide immunity in an adult—not two, as was initially believed—easing fears that there wouldn’t be enough vaccine to cover the entire at-risk population.
Still, supplies of the vaccine will initially be tight. The U.S. has ordered 195 million doses, but the first production runs are expected to turn out about 45 million doses. Those most at risk from the disease, including children and pregnant women, will get first crack at the vaccine.
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