US declares Seqirus Holly Springs ‘pandemic ready’ to produce 150 million doses of flu vaccine in NC

Seqirus Holly Springs held a ribbon cutting Monday morning to celebrate its expansion and new recognition for pandemic vaccine production and distribution.

Last week, the U.S. government declared Seqirus, one of the largest influenza vaccine manufacturers in the world, “pandemic ready” to produce and distribute 150 million doses of its cell-based pandemic influenza vaccines, which would be needed in the event of an influenza pandemic.

The Seqirus facility, located at 475 Green Oaks Parkway in Holly Springs, is the first and only company in the U.S. to receive the designation for domestic production.

“In the event of an influenza pandemic, Seqirus will be able to produce 150 million doses of its cell-based pandemic influenza vaccines right here in Holly Springs, where it also produces millions of seasonal flu vaccine doses every year,” a press release read.

Pandemic influenza differs from seasonal influenza, although both can cause severe illness and live-threatening complications in some patients. Pandemic influenza, like coronavirus, is dangerous because there is “likely to be little or no pre-existing immunity to the virus in the human population,” according to a statement from Seqirus.

According to Seqirus, four influenza pandemics have occurred in the last century, including the 1918 pandemic.

In the event of a pandemic influenza, Seqirus will be able to manufacture 150 million doses of specialized vaccines in Holly Springs.

(Original Article Source: WRAL TechWire)