Cell-growing technique encouraged

Still, given the slow results, many experts are questioning the time-honored method based on eggs. Higher yields can be achieved with a newer technology that grows the virus in cells instead of eggs, Belshe said. The U.S. Health and Human Services Department has given vaccine makers more than $1 billion to encourage building cell-based flu manufacturing sites in the United States.

But the cell method remains more expensive for manufacturers than using eggs, he said. Novartis said it expects to open a cell-based flu vaccine plant in this country later this year. But several other companies have abandoned plans for such plants here. Instead, they've renovated their egg plants.

Other companies are developing so-called recombinant vaccines using proteins or DNA but those are still in various stages of development and production.

In the meantime, Bucher and her lab will carry on producing vaccine strains the old-fashioned way. "It continues to be a good way to make vaccine, despite a couple of bumps in the road," she said. "The virus just loves to grow in eggs."I think we will get a buyout from a big pharma co. Vical is the way to go..