FDA Approves Boosted Flu Vaccine for Older Adults
- By BSTQ Staff
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Fluad (Seqirus), an influenza vaccine that contains the adjuvant MF59, in hopes of better protecting individuals over age 65 who typically have a poor immune response to vaccines. It is the first flu vaccine to include a compound that helps stimulate the immune system so that a vaccine is more effective. MF59 is an oil-in-water mixture that includes squalene, an oily nutrient produced by the liver, and some preservatives. When mixed with vaccines, MF59 increases the number of immune system cells that are stimulated. “Immunizing individuals in this age group is especially important because they bear the greatest burden of severe influenza disease and account for the majority of influenza-related hospitalizations and deaths,” said Dr. Karen Midthun from FDA. The vaccine, manufactured by newly formed Seqirus, a global company created by bioCSL and the influenza vaccines business formerly owned by Novartis, should be available for the 2016-2017 influenza season.
