Performance characteristics of qualified cell lines for isolation and propagation of influenza viruses for vaccine manufacturing.

Cell culture is now available as a method for the production of influenza vaccines in addition to eggs. In accordance with currently accepted practice, viruses recommended as candidates for vaccine manufacture are isolated and propagated exclusively in hens' eggs prior to distribution to manufacturers. Candidate vaccine viruses isolated in cell culture are not available to support vaccine manufacturing in mammalian cell bioreactors so egg-derived viruses have to be used.

Current challenges in implementing cell-derived influenza vaccines: implications for production and regulation, July 2007, NIBSC, Potters Bar, UK.

A meeting was held at NIBSC, UK in July 2007 to discuss the implications of progress in the use of cell culture systems for the manufacture of vaccines against influenza. Issues discussed included the effect of using eggs and different cell types in strain selection, development of seed viruses to be used in production and the nature of the reagents to be used in determining vaccine potency. Future studies to progress the field were reviewed.