COLLEGE PARK, Md. - There's a new tool to fight swine flu. And it could help battle the vaccine shortage.

A new vaccine for the H1N1 virus just got federal approval and could hit the market soon.

The Canadian company ID Biomedical Corp, owned by GlaxoSmithKline, will manufacture the new vaccine. In an effort to ease the shortage, 7.5 million doses of the new vaccine have been ordered. Officials say the new shipment is expected arrive in December. 

"Whether we meant to or not, I think we led expectations of availablity to be higher than they have been," said the CDC (web | news) 's Dr. Anne Schuchat at a Senate hearing on Tuesday.

Federal officials initially said 120 million doses of H1N1 vaccine would be ready by the end of October. Nearly month later, fewer than half -- about 50 million -- have been administered.

And all of this has lawmakers questioning both the Obama administration and manufacturers over the slow production and distribution of a shot intended to keep the population safe from the potentially fatal virus.

"The good news is the vaccine is an excellent match to the virus that's circulating," Shuchat said.

Health officials estimate the virus has infected 22 million Americans, killing nearly 4,0000 of them.

The Department of Health and Human Services told lawmakers that eventually -- hopefully by year's end -- there will be enough vaccines for everyone.

Bowie resident Reggie Hayes hopes this prediction proves true.

"It's almost like you'd do anything for your kids and that's why we're out here to protect them as much as we can," Hayes said.

A recent Harvard School of Public Health poll found that about 91 percent of Americans who haven't been able to get the swine flu vaccine thus far will go back for themselves, their children or both.

The University of Maryland is holding a clinic for students, faculty and staff from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday night.

 

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