$1bn boost for US vaccinations

THE US is ready to announce another $1 billion (€717,600) in orders for swine flu vaccinations.

Health and human services secretary Kathleen Sebelius said yesterday she will announce today that Washington has approved another $1bn to buy components of the vaccine. Sebelius said that research is under way to provide a safe and effective vaccine to fight a flu strain that could be a pandemic.

Sebelius and other top officials are bracing for autumn’s flu season. She says leaders are watching the Southern Hemisphere for clues to how serious the US flu season might be.