Influenza vaccines for the 2011-2012 flu season have begun shipping from manufacturers. Both Sanofi Pasteur and Novartis, two of the six licensed vaccine manufacturers approved to provide vaccines in the U.S., are sending doses to U.S. healthcare providers in preparation for the upcoming flu season.
In a press release, Sanofi Pasteur’s Damian Braga, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, said, “As the largest producer of influenza vaccine in the U.S., supplying more than 40 percent of the nation's influenza vaccine, our goal is to continue supporting the fight against influenza by consistently delivering a reliable supply of influenza vaccine to U.S. health-care providers.”
Vas Narasimhan, MD, President, US Vaccines, Head, North America Vaccines for Novartis, said, in a press release, “The early arrival of the influenza vaccine will allow public health professionals to administer vaccinations weeks ahead of their normal schedule, meeting an important public health need to help protect as many individuals as possible.”
Earlier this week, the FDA approved the flu strains selected for inclusion in this season’s flu vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that influenza A (H1N1) virus, influenza A (H3N2) virus and an influenza B virus are expected to be the most common strains circulating in the 2011-2012 flu season.
