Flu vaccines for 2011/2012 season now available

Vaccines for the current flu season have been released, including a new preparation free of egg residues.

Preflucel is the first flu vaccine to be produced by cell culture rather than egg-based methods, making it suitable for individuals who are hypersensitive to egg or chicken proteins. It is licensed for use only in adults.

Other vaccines available for the current season are: Agrippal (Novartis), Enzira (Wyeth), Fluvirin (Novartis), Fluarix (GlaxoSmithKline), Imuvac and Influvac (Solvay), Inactivated Flu Vaccine BP, Intanza (Sanofi-Pasteur MSD), Inflexal V and Viroflu (Crucell).

In line with EMA/WHO recommendations for the 2011/2012 season, the vaccines contain the same 3 virus strains as last year:

• A/California/7/2009 as the H₁N₁-like component
• A/Perth/16/2009 as the H₃N₂-like component
• B/Brisbane/60/2008 as the influenza B component.

Begrivac (Novartis) and Celvapan (Baxter) are no longer available.

Further information: Green Book – Chapter 19: Influenza