The Sanofi Pasteur laboratory has revealed that the FDA, the American equivalent of the National Drug Safety Agency, has approved its additional application for a biological product license for the commercialization of the Fluzone Quadrivalent vaccine. The latest addition to the family of Fluzone influenza vaccines, it comprises a formulation of 4 strains of the virus (2 type A and 2 type B) and has been approved for administration to children over 6 months of age, to adolescents and adults. The novelty of this vaccine lies in its action against two strains of type B whereas, until now, seasonal influenza vaccines have included only one influenza type B virus.
According to the Sanofi laboratory, influenza B epidemics occur every two to four years and affect all age groups. Influenza B is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in children with influenza and has been linked to pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses as well as diseases of the nervous system, muscle pain and inflammation. but can also be the cause of other complications. In recent years, up to 44% of influenza-related deaths in young children and adolescents under the age of 18 have been caused by influenza type B.
Fluzone Quadrivalent vaccine will be made available to healthcare professionals in the United States for the 2013-2014 influenza season as pre-filled syringes and single-dose vials for intramuscular administration. These different presentations of the Fluzone Quadrivalent vaccine do not contain preservatives and do not contain elements derived from natural rubber latex.
