Flu vaccine ready for test amid panic

Agence France-Presse

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While millions could catch the flu, governments and health experts around the world have sought to play down fears that the H1N1 virus could become a major killer. Swine flu has so far infected almost 30,000 people in 74 countries and claimed 145 lives since it was first detected in Mexico in April, according to World Health Organization, or WHO figures.

Novartis stole a march on competitors by announcing it has completed a first batch of vaccine for pre-clinical trials. A spokesman told Agence France-Presse it hoped to have a vaccine in production by September or October.

"Novartis has successfully completed the production of the first batch of influenza A(H1N1) vaccine, weeks ahead of expectations," the company said in a statement.