EMERYVILLE, CA (July 26, 2004) – Chiron Corporation announced that it has delivered the first one million doses of its Fluvirin influenza vaccine to U.S. distributors in preparation for the upcoming influenza season.

The company expects to deliver a total of 52 million doses of Fluvirin to the U.S. market this season through regular shipments over the next few months, including 2 million doses later in the season for a national stockpile held by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to the CDC, about 10-20% of the U.S. population contracts influenza each year. Vaccination decreases the risk of illness for the vaccine recipient and helps prevent the spread of the influenza virus.

Chiron Vaccines is headquartered in Oxford, United Kingdom, and has facilities located throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. Chiron Vaccines is a manufacturer of influenza vaccines and has meningitis, pediatric and travel vaccine franchises.