The H1N1 pandemic may precipitate a fundamental change in the way influenza vaccines are produced.  Normally, flu virus for vaccine is grown in chicken eggs-a time tested and relatively inexpensive method, but one that’s also slow and given to modifying the original strain so as to make a less effective vaccine as production runs.  Recently, Novartis decided to supplement its egg-based method with cell-cultured virus, similar to biofermentation processes.  Without this faster method, vaccine production could not keep up with emergency demand.  Several vaccine makers now see cell-cultured methods as more desirable for routine epidemic years.        MORE