GlaxoSmithKline ships influenza vaccines for 2014-2015 season

GlaxoSmithKline recently announced that it has begun shipping doses of its quadrivalent influenza vaccine, Fluarix, to health care providers in the United States as they prepare for the 2014-2015 influenza season.

“Consumers today have more options than ever to help protect themselves against the flu,” Deborah Waterhouse, senior vice president and business unit head of US vaccines at GlaxoSmithKline, said in a press release. “Since introducing our own four-strain vaccines last year, we’ve seen a strong uptake. It’s important for consumers to discuss these options with their physicians and get early seasonal protection as the nature and severity of flu seasons can be unpredictable.”

GlaxoSmithKline also received 2014-2015 license approvals by the FDA for its other three influenza vaccines — two trivalent vaccines (Fluarix and Flulaval) and another quadrivalent vaccine (Flulaval). The pharmaceutical company will begin shipping the Flulaval trivalent and quadrivalent vaccines in early August, pending additional FDA lot releases. It expects to supply between 28 million and 33 million doses of all four vaccines for the approaching influenza season.

Each of the vaccines are indicated for use in individuals aged 3 years and older. The CDC recommends that those aged 6 months or older should be vaccinated annually. However, the agency does not recommend a four-strain dose over a three-strain dose, instead leaving the choice up to providers and their patients.