I am also opposed to the use of human stem cells in the manufacture of vaccines. Does anyone know how to locate these other proposals to learn of their manufacturing methods?
Thompson Hopes for Smallpox Deal Next Week
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) Nov 14 - Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said Wednesday he hoped to announce early next week which companies he selected to make millions of smallpox vaccine doses for the government.
Negotiations were continuing with the firms interested in supplying the vaccine by the end of next year to help bolster US defenses against potential biowarfare agents, Thompson told reporters during a telephone briefing.
Asked when he would announce the winning bidders, Thompson said "hopefully the first part of next week.''
Merck, based in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, and London-based GlaxoSmithKline are finalists for the contract. The third finalist is a joint bid between British firm Acambis and Baxter International, based in Deerfield, Illinois.
Thompson said talks with the finalists were "friendly" but "direct." He declined to provide any other details.
Thompson had previously said he expected to make a deal by this week.
He had told reporters the prices the firms offered were higher than he expected and that he was working to negotiate a lower cost.
Thompson has asked Congress to appropriate $509 million for 250 million doses. When added to current shots held in reserve and others on order, that would give officials enough for each American if needed.
Officials have said they do not plan a mass vaccination program at this time but want to have the shots on hand in case they are needed.
Smallpox was eradicated worldwide two decades ago, but experts fear virus samples could be used to make a highly contagious and potentially lethal biological weapon. A vaccine can prevent illness if given within days of exposure to the smallpox virus.