New Delhi, Sep 25 - Global pharma major Novartis Friday announced it is ready with a swine flu vaccine and has started first deliveries to governments in Europe, giving hopes to people in many parts of the world.

'Novartis has already started first deliveries of pandemic vaccines under quarantine to governments in Europe, despite the initially low yields with the current production seed strain provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO). A new seed strain could provide higher volumes,' the company said in a statement issued in Switzerland.

The company announced that Focetria, the Novartis Influenza A(H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine, Friday received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA).

The company has started first deliveries of pandemic vaccines under quarantine to European countries, which means the vaccine is now ready with the governments but only after getting the formal approval the governments can start vaccination.

'The positive opinion clears the way for European Union approval in all 27 member states as well as in Iceland and Norway.