FDA approves quadrivalent flu vaccine for adults aged 65 and older

Issue: April 2020

ByEamon N. Dreisbach

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The FDA has approved Fluad Quadrivalent (Seqirus) adjuvanted influenza vaccine for adults aged 65 years and older in the United States, according to a news release.

“Adults 65 years and older are at high risk for influenza-related complications each season and it is important to have influenza vaccines to help protect this vulnerable population,” Anjana Narain, Executive Vice President and General Manager at Seqirus, said in the release. “As part of our leading role on the front line of influenza prevention, we are pleased to offer Fluad Quadrivalent as another seasonal vaccine option for health care providers and their patients in the fight against influenza.”

Fluad (Seqirus), the first adjuvanted trivalent vaccine for influenza in adults aged 65 years and older, was approved for use in 2015. Fluad and Fluad Quadrivalent are currently the only adjuvanted seasonal influenza vaccines approved for this age group in the U.S.

Fluad Quadrivalent uses the same MF59 adjuvant technology as Fluad to generate a broad immune response. The new quadrivalent vaccine includes an additional strain of Fluad.

The CDC estimates that between 70% and 85% of seasonal influenza-related deaths occur in people aged 65 years and older and that people in that age group are at particularly high risk for developing influenza-related complications. The CDC also recommends that people aged 65 and older get a seasonal flu shot and not a nasal spray vaccine.

“The burden of seasonal influenza among adults 65 and older remains an important public health concern,” Gregg Sylvester, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Seqirus, said in the release. “At Seqirus, we’re committed to developing advanced technologies and vaccines designed to address unmet needs, especially in vulnerable populations, such as adults 65 years and older.” - by Eamon Dreisbach

Reference:

CDC. People 65 Years and Older & Influenza. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/65over.htm. Accessed February 26, 2020.