Novartis begins shipment of Fluvirin seasonal influenza vaccine for the U.S. market ahead of schedule
Providing 30 million doses of Fluvirin vaccine in the U.S., to support the annual seasonal influenza vaccination campaign
Novartis Vaccines has started shipping seasonal influenza vaccine to U.S. healthcare facilities for the 2009-2010 season. The company delivered Fluvirin® influenza virus vaccine, which has been approved by the U.S. food and Drug Administration (FDA), to the U.S. weeks ahead of schedule in anticipation of the increased demand for seasonal influenza vaccine created by the current global (A) H1N1 influenza pandemic.
"With the (A) H1N1 influenza pandemic underway, it is important that we take every possible precaution to help protect U.S. citizens from all circulating strains of influenza," said Andrin Oswald, CEO of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics. "By receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine early, physicians and public health officials can better prepare for the upcoming flu season."
Novartis Vaccines will provide the U.S. market with approximately 30 million doses of Fluvirin vaccine, indicated for patients 4 years and older. Fluvirin vaccine contains antigens to the three influenza virus strains for this year's vaccine recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO):
- A/Brisbane/59/2007, IVR-148 (H1N1)
- A/Uruguay/716/2007, NYMC X-175C (H3N2) (an A/Brisbane/10/2007-like virus)
- B/Brisbane/60/2008
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