Baxter Working On Swine Flu Vaccine

Deerfield-based medical product giant Baxter International Inc. is working with the World Health Organization on a potential vaccine to curb the spread of the swine flu outbreak in Mexico, the company confirmed today.

Baxter, which has a growing vaccine business, has worked with foreign countries in the past to develop vaccines for the H5N1 virus commonly known as bird flu. Baxter has a cell-based technology that allows the company to more rapidly produce vaccines in the event of a pandemic than a decades-old method that uses eggs to process vaccines and can take weeks or even months longer.

“Upon learning about the swine flu outbreak in Mexico yesterday, Baxter requested a virus sample from WHO to do laboratory testing for potentially developing an experimental vaccine,” company spokesman Christopher Bona told the Tribune this afternoon. “Baxter has research and development and manufacturing pandemic planning expertise to rapidly develop candidate vaccines against potentially emerging influenza viruses.”

Air Jamaica Soaring Barbados Way Again

 From July 2 to August 30, 2009, Air Jamaica will operate twice weekly service between New York and Barbados which the airline says is in response to the expected demand by Barbadian nationals in the tri-state area travelling home for the summer.

“We are of course very happy that Air Jamaica has made the commitment of these flights,” Barbadian Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy, told JIS News.

“Barbadians who live outside of the island look forward to vacationing at home. We are thrilled at Air Jamaica’s move in making it easy for them and all visitors to our island to travel during this period,” he added.

The flights will depart John F Kennedy Airport (JFK) on Thursday and Sunday at 12:50 am and arrive in Barbados at 5:00 am. The return flight will depart Barbados at 6:30 am and arrive at JFK at 11:30 am.

Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com

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