The vaccine for the upcoming influenza season will contain the same three strains included in this past season’s vaccine, the Food and Drug Administration announced July 18.
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The decision to make the 2011-2012 flu vaccine contain the same strains as last season’s vaccine was based on the latest influenza surveillance and epidemiology data, antigenic characteristics of virus isolates, and serologic responses to current vaccines. i
In a statement, the FDA announced that it had approved the 2011-2012 influenza vaccine formulation, which will include the following strains: A/California/7/09 (H1N1)-like virus (pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus), A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus and B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
This formulation will be used by the six manufacturers that are licensed to produce and distribute the influenza vaccine in the United States.
In February, the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee made a preliminary recommendation that the influenza vaccine include these three strains, based on information that included the latest influenza surveillance and epidemiology data; antigenic characteristics of virus isolates; and serologic responses to current vaccines.
"There is always a possibility of a less than optimal match between the virus strains predicted to circulate and the virus strains that end up causing the most illness," according to the FDA statement. "However, even if the vaccine and the circulating strains are not an exact match, the vaccine may reduce the severity of the illness or may help prevent influenza-related complications."
Licensed vaccines include Afluria (CSL Limited); Fluarix (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals); FluLaval (ID Biomedical Corporation); FluMist (MedImmune); Fluvirin (Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics); and Fluzone, Fluzone High-Dose, and Fluzone Intradermal (Sanofi Pasteur).
Fluzone Intradermal was approved in May 2011, and is delivered intradermally with a very small needle and is for people aged 18-64 years, according to the FDA statement. On July 18, Sanofi Pasteur announced that the company has begun shipping the 2011-2012 Fluzone vaccine.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends annual influenza vaccinations for everyone aged 6 months and older.
According to the CDC, 5%-20% of the U.S. population develops influenza each year, resulting in more than 200,000 hospitalizations for influenza-related complications and 3,000-49,000 deaths.