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FDA approves four-strain seasonal influenza vaccine
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The FDA approved this week a quadrivalent influenza vaccine for use in adults and children aged 3 years and older for the prevention of seasonal influenza.
Fluarix Quadrivalent (GlaxoSmithKline) contains influenza virus subtypes A and type B and is the first intramuscular vaccine to cover against four influenza strains, according to the FDA.
Currently, the trivalent influenza vaccines contain two influenza A virus strains and a B strain. However, since 2000, two influenza B virus strains (Victoria and Yamagata) have co-circulated to varying degrees each season. Therefore, this quadrivalent vaccine will include two influenza A strains, as well as two influenza B strains.
Fluarix is expected to be available in time for the 2013-14 influenza season, according to the manufacturer.
The CDC recommends that adults and children aged 6 months and older receive annual influenza immunization. Go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2012-2013.htm for more information on influenza.
The full prescribing information will be available at www.gsk.com/products/index.htm.