A shift toward producing flu vaccines using cultures of animal cells inside of steel tanks instead of chicken eggs should make it easier to get the shots ready more quickly to stem pandemics.

The New York Times reports researchers found the new vaccine work as well as the older one. The use of animal cells helps lower the chances of bacterial contamination, which was reportedly the cause of some vaccine shortages in past years.

Since the new vaccine can be produced weeks faster than the six months it takes to manufacture the old one for a pandemic, medical professionals will be able to refill their supplies quicker. There is no set timetable on FDA approval.

Success in New Method for Flu Vaccine [The New York Times]

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