An advisory panel of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that five groups, totalling up to 159 million Americans, be targeted for initial vaccination against the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus.
China's State FDA has taken a number of steps to prepare for an increase in the number of type A (H1N1) swine flu cases in the country, including the introduction of new systems for the rapid approval and quality assurance of vaccines and other potential treatments.
The French health ministry is negotiating with pharmaceutical companies for the purchase of enough H1N1 influenza vaccines to protect the entire population.
Photo Gallery: Swine flu coverage from around the world
Pic 1: The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus has hit Mexico the hardest. The number of deaths linked to the virus in the country now stands at 149. The number of deaths in the Americas now stands at 1008, according to the WHO.
Pic 2: The country's capital, Mexico City, has been widely disrupted, with public buildings, shops and schools closed. Photograph by Sandy Huffaker/ Getty Images
Pic 3: Workers in Mexico City's General Hospital wait to be vaccinated against influenza. Photograph by Miguel Tovar/ AP Photo
Pic 4: Swine flu appears to be sensitive to Roche's antiviral Tamiflu, though only time will tell the extent of its effectiveness. Photograph by Ed Wray/ Ap Photo
Pic 5: The virus is also being treated with GlaxoSmithKline's Relenza.
Pic 6: Dr Terrance Tumpey, a microbiologist at the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, is seen here examining reconstructed 1918 pandemic influenza virus. A complete vaccine might not be available for another 4-6 months, officials have said.
Pic 7: The virus has spread to the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, where Health Minister Tony Ryall confirmed that at least three students who had travelled to Mexico were suffering from swine flu.
Pic 8: Students in Cleburne Texas shield their mouths and noses after being let out of classes. City officials closed all schools because of possible swine flu infections.
Pic 9: Numerous public buildings have been sprayed with decontamination fluid to stop the spread of the virus. The first death related to swine flu outside of Mexico occurred in Texas on April 29th.
Pic 10: A poster informing people how to prevent the spread of swine flu, issued by the Texas Department of Health.
Pic 11: The Granjas Carrol de Mexico farm in Eastern Mexico has been accused as being the starting point of the virus due to hygiene and operating concerns raised by photographs such as this. However, it is not yet clear if the accusations are well-founded.
Pic 12: Mexico has been widely disrupted by the spread of swine flu with airports being particularly affected.
Pic 13: International airports all over the world have also been disrupted. Here, a public announcement at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, China warns travellers about the spread of swine flu.
Video: Scrip analyst in expert debate on Swine Flu
Special briefing by those with primary governmental responsibility in handling the current swine flu situation in the US and Mexico.
John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism
Dr. Richard Besser, the Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Janet Napolitano, the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Video: Global Swine Flu Cases Close to Pandemic Levels
Dr Joe Bresse with the US Centre of Disease Control's Influenza Division describes H1N1 (swine flu) - its signs and symptoms, how it is transmitted, preventative measures to take and what to do if people become ill.
Expert View: Ian Schofield, Principal Analyst 
