VACCINES company PowderJect is recruiting 25 people to sell its flu vaccine, which has already been bought by Asda.

PowderJect, based at Oxford Science Park, is to set up its own direct sales force.

They will promote PowderJect's flu and travel vaccine franchises, focusing initially on its flu vaccine, Fluvirin.

PowderJect has its own sales force in Scandinavia, but until now has used the sales force of biotech company Celltech, based in Slough, to sell in the UK.

Celltech reps will continue to sell PowderJect products until the agreement expires in September 2003.

PowderJect is considering setting up its own sales force in other European countries.

Chief executive Paul Drayson said: "The company has grown significantly over the last two years, and with anticipated vaccine revenues of over £160m this year it makes strategic sense for us to expand our commercial organisation to ensure we offer the best possible service to our customers with a sales team entirely focused on vaccines."

Last week it was announced that 256 Asda stores, including the supermarket at Wheatley, will run a one-day vaccination service on Saturday, October 12.

Flurivin will be administered by nurses employed by mobile medical service Doctorcall in-store.