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Flu vaccine strains selected for next season
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After reviewing available surveillance and strain characterization data from the current influenza season, the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee has recommended changing the B strain in next season’s vaccine batch.
The committee agreed to retain the current influenza A strains, but favored replacing the B strain to more closely match the prevalence of the Victoria lineage observed in currently circulating viruses. Influenza vaccines for the 2009/2010 season will include the following components:
- A/Brisbane/59/2007-like strain for the A/H1N1 coverage.
- A/Brisbane/10/2007-like virus for A/H2N3 coverage.
- B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus for influenza B coverage.
Rajesh K. Gupta, PhD, laboratory chief in the division of product quality, office of vaccines research and review at the FDA briefed the committee regarding the status of candidate vaccine strains for manufacturing. Reagents for A/Uruguay/716/2007 strain and the A/Brisbane/10/2007 strain are currently available and are ready for shipment immediately; the B/Brisbane/60/2008 strain should be available for shipment in May. –by Nicole Blazek
For more information:
- FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Meeting; Feb. 18-19, 2009; Washington.