WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AstraZeneca today announced the first shipment of FLUMIST® QUADRIVALENT (Influenza Vaccine Live, Intranasal) doses in the US for the 2020-2021 influenza season. FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT, the only nasal-spray flu vaccine, is indicated for those ages 2 through 49. It may not prevent influenza in everyone who gets vaccinated.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently issued statements encouraging the importance of flu vaccination rates for the 2020-21 season as a part of efforts to help reduce burden on the healthcare system and ensure resources are available should there be a resurgence or continuation at present levels of COVID-19 during that time. In response, AstraZeneca has increased production of FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT doses in the US by over 25% more than previously planned, a majority of which are expected to be available by the end of September.
Mina Makar, SVP, US Respiratory and Immunology at AstraZeneca, said: “AstraZeneca has a long-standing commitment to putting the needs of patients first and protecting public health – and this year it is critical given the current pandemic. To that end, AstraZeneca has increased manufacturing capacity and accelerated vaccine development to ensure we can confidently meet the needs of consumers and the healthcare system. We are proud to provide FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT – the only nasal-spray flu vaccine – which helps play a key role in the fight against flu in the US.”
FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT uses an administrative technique that may be preferred by some patients and parents. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) both recommend FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT as an option for influenza vaccination in the US. In line with recommendations from the CDC and AAP, the option of FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT is critical to public health. Helping to prevent flu is essential, and in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s even more important to do everything possible to reduce illnesses and preserve scarce health care resources.
Those interested in receiving a flu vaccine should talk to a healthcare provider to see if FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT is right for them. AstraZeneca’s live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) (either as trivalent or quadrivalent formulations) has been approved by the FDA since 2003.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
- You should not get FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT if you have a severe allergy to eggs or to any inactive ingredient in the vaccine; have ever had a life-threatening reaction to influenza vaccinations; or are 2 through 17 years old and take aspirin or medicines containing aspirin – children or adolescents should not be given aspirin for 4 weeks after getting FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise.
- Children under 2 years old have an increased risk of wheezing (difficulty with breathing) after getting FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT.
- Tell your healthcare provider if you or your child are currently wheezing; have a history of wheezing if under 5 years old; have had Guillain-Barré syndrome; have a weakened immune system or live with someone who has a severely weakened immune system; have problems with your heart, kidneys, or lungs; have diabetes; are pregnant or nursing; or are taking a medication used to treat influenza like Tamiflu®*, Relenza®*, amantadine, or rimantadine.
- The most common side effects are runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and fever over 100°F.
APPROVED USE
FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT is a vaccine that is sprayed into the nose to help protect against influenza. It can be used in people 2 through 49 years old. FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT may not prevent influenza in everyone who gets vaccinated.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.
*Tamiflu and Relenza are registered trademarks of their respective owners.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the Public Health England 2019-2020 Flu Vaccine Effectiveness Results
Public Health England (PHE) has published end-of-season vaccine effectiveness (VE) data for the 2019-2020 season in the UK. In children 2 to 17 years old, adjusted VE with LAIV was 45.4% (95% CI: 12.6%, 65.9%) against all circulating strains. Adjusted VE was not applicable against circulating A(H1N1)pdm09, but was 30.5% (95% CI: -18.5%, 59.2%) against circulating A(H3N2) strains. The study used a test-negative case control design across primary care influenza sentinel swabbing surveillance schemes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
