Canada Approves New Flu Vaccine for Seniors

Health Canada has approved Fluad, a seasonal flu vaccine manufactured by Novartis for adults aged 65 years and older. Fluad is the first seasonal flu vaccine in Canada to contain an adjuvant (MF 59) to help boost the immune response to provide better protection against the flu. Studies have shown that Fluad enhances the vaccine’s immune response in older adults, including those with chronic diseases, compared with conventional non-adjuvanted vaccines. Research also shows that Fluad can help protect against influenza strains not included in the vaccine. It has been licensed and used extensively in Europe since 1997, where more than 50 million doses have been administered.