Pharmacy Daily | Vaccine approval

THE US FDA has approved the US’ new 2010-11 influenza season vaccines in the lead-up to the Northern Hemisphere winter. Unlike last year when the FDA had to approve a special H1N1 vaccine (because the strain hit after production had commenced for the already approved seasonal vaccine) this year only one vaccine is necessary. The new vaccines will contain 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. In addition, the US Centre for Disease Control has expanded its flu vaccine recommendation to include all people aged six-months and over. CSL Limited has also changed its 2010/11 vaccine label to inform healthcare providers about the increased rate of fever and febrile seizure in kids aged five years and under (as seen in the Southern Hemisphere). The FDA has also instructed CSL Limited to conduct a study into the effects of its Afluria vaccine in children under 5 years to obtain additional info regarding febrile events as documented in Australia. MEANWHILE the Australian Department of Health has said that seasonal flu vaccination for young children can be resumed, following the results of its vaccine review which showed the “higher than usual” occurrence of fever and febrile convulsions in kids under five years of age was confined to the CSL’s flu vaccine Fluvax. Parents who wish to seek seasonal flu vaccination for their children are now being advised to speak to their doctor regarding options including Influvac and Vaxigrip.

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