Novartis Distributes Influenza Vaccine Fluvirin® in Time for 2011-2012 Season
LATEST NEWS – WEDNESDAY, 20 JULY 2011
Novartis has commenced shipping of its seasonal influenza vaccine Fluvirin across the United States. With the 2011-2012 influenza season approaching, Novartis is making sure that health professionals have the capacity to provide patients with the earliest possible protection by shipping the vaccines early. Fluvirin is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults and children (4 years+). Novartis is expecting to distribute more than 30 million doses of influenza vaccine Fluvirin.
The severity of Flu can vary from season to season, dependent on various factors including; which flu viruses are spreading, the amount of flu vaccine available, when the vaccine is available, amount of people who receive vaccination, the effectiveness of the flu vaccine in relation to the flu viruses that are causing illnesses. A study by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), published by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), showed that over 200 000 are hospitalised each year in the US with respiratory illnesses linked to seasonal influenza infections. The study suggested that vaccination is a priority for those most at risk of serious influenza complications, particularly those people aged 65 years and over.
Vas Narasimhan, US Country Head for Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics and Head of Novartis North America commented “We are very pleased that Novartis is again delivering Fluvirin to the US well ahead of schedule and with sufficient supply to meet customer demand. The early arrival of the influenza vaccine will allow public health professionals to administer vaccinations weeks ahead of their normal schedule, meeting an important public health need to help protect as many individuals as possible.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has ascertained three virus strains for the 2011-2012 season including, B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus, A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus and A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus. The Novartis vaccine Fluvirin comprises of antigens that target these three strains.
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Published by The Pharmaceutical Networking Editor
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