The European medicines regulator has approved one of the UK’s H1N1 flu (swine flu) vaccines.

The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has recommended that the European Commission grant GlaxoSmithKline a marketing authorisation for its vaccine Pandemrix.

Focetria, made by Novartis, has also gained approval from EMEA.

The UK Government has already signed a deal with GSK  for its vaccine, and one with manufacturer Baxter.

Together these will secure supplies of up to 90 million doses of H1N1 flu vaccine.

EMEA is recommending a two-dose schedule for the vaccines it has approved, to be given three weeks apart.

Clinical trials are ongoing with more results expected from October, and recommendations may be updated as more evidence is produced.

The European Commission is expected to decide on the authorisations shortly.