Canadian Vaccine Manufacturer Able to Deliver Doses Ahead of Schedule

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 9 /CNW/ - GlaxoSmithKline Inc. (GSK) today announced that it has begun shipment of FLUVIRAL(R) (Influenza Virus Vaccine) to Canadian private market customers for the 2008-2009 influenza season, having met and exceeded the contractual timelines for public market deliveries.

With the majority of doses already delivered to provinces across Canada, GSK has also begun to ship vaccine to direct customers, including physicians and clinics, which will allow customers to begin immunizing patients as soon as possible.

"We are pleased to be able to quickly supply influenza vaccine in Canada for the 2008-2009 season," said Dr. Tjark Reblin, Vice President Medical and Chief Medical Officer, GlaxoSmithKline Inc. "We are excited to play an integral part in helping Canadians protect themselves against this serious infection."

Production of influenza vaccine this year was complicated by the introduction of three new influenza strains for the 2008-2009 season: A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1)-like strain, A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like strain and B/Florida/4/2006-like strain. Fortunately, this factor did not result in any delays in delivering doses for the season.

About Seasonal Influenza

Influenza, or "the flu," is a respiratory illness that affects millions of Canadians each year, primarily during the winter months. The flu typically starts with a headache, chills and cough, followed rapidly by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, running nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur, especially in children.

While the majority of those who become sick will recover, influenza results in an average of 20,000 hospitalizations and 4,000 deaths in Canada each year. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the influenza vaccine - combined with regular hand washing and proper cough etiquette - provides the best protection for oneself and others against the influenza virus.

About FLUVIRAL(R)

FLUVIRAL(R) conforms to the current requirements of the World Health Organization (WHO). FLUVIRAL(R), split-virion influenza vaccine, is used for active immunization against influenza disease caused by the influenza subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine. FLUVIRAL(R) is indicated for the active immunization against influenza caused by influenza virus in adults and children 6 months of age or older.

Important Safety Information

Soreness at the injection site that can last up to 2 days is a common side effect in adults, but rarely interferes with your daily activities. Flu vaccines are safe and well tolerated in healthy children, but mild local reactions, primarily soreness occurs in 7% of cases in children below 3 years of age. Post-vaccination fever may be observed in 12% of children 1 to 5 years of age. A flu vaccine may be contraindicated if you are allergic to eggs or if you have acute febrile illness.

GlaxoSmithKline: A Canadian Vaccines Leader

GlaxoSmithKline is the leading Canadian influenza vaccine manufacturer, and will supply the majority of the Canadian government's seasonal influenza vaccines purchases until 2010. GlaxoSmithKline also has a contract with the Government of Canada for the development and production of a pandemic influenza vaccine, and to provide the infrastructure and capacity to produce sufficient pandemic vaccine for Canadians in the event of an influenza pandemic. GlaxoSmithKline maintains two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities dedicated to the production of innovative vaccines in Quebec City and Laval, Quebec. GlaxoSmithKline's Laval site also serves as a research and development hub for North America, providing activities related to research projects in early development, as well as the implementation of technological platforms supporting the pre-clinical and clinical development of candidate vaccines.

GlaxoSmithKline - one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

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Media inquiries: Peter Schram, (905) 819-3363