Novartis begins shipment of Fluvirin influenza seasonal vaccine in US

Novartis has commenced shipment of Fluvirin influenza vaccine for the 2012-2013 influenza season, in the US.

Novartis plans to ship more than 30 million doses of the Fluvirin vaccine which has been reformulated to include two new influenza strains. The reformulation meets the updated World Health Organization and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendations.

Novartis North America regional head and US Vaccines president Brent MacGregor said the company is ensuring adequate supply of Fluvirin to meet the customer demand. “The influenza vaccine will arrive in time to help meet a significant public health need and allow healthcare professionals to start administering vaccines in the lead up to the influenza season,” MacGregor added.

Fluvirin vaccine is an inactivated influenza virus vaccine indicated for active immunization of persons four years of age and older against influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine. Seasonal influenza is a highly communicable, acute viral infection that predominantly attacks the respiratory tract and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness and can also lead to death.