They contain inactivated purified surface fragments (subunits) from the three different strains of the influenza virus (A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and Influenza B virus) that are selected and distributed by the World Health Organization, on the basis of their latest recommendations. Previously, they were produced and marketed by Abbott Laboratories[9]
In February 2010, Abbott acquired the vaccines subunit from Solvay Pharmaceuticals included in its $6.2 billion purchase[10] and the subunit influenza vaccine — Influvac has been commercially available on the market since the early nineteen-eighties.[9] With the acquisition of Solvay, Abbott retained access to the Eastern European, Middle Eastern & Latin American markets. Approximately $850 million of sales revenue from vaccines was reported by Solvay Pharmaceuticals in 2009.[10]
In February 2015, Mylan Laboratories completed the deal with Abbott to purchase Abbott's generic drugs business in developed markets, which includes Influvac.[11][12]
On April 27, 2007, Novartis received a positive opinion supporting European Union approval of Optaflu. It is the first influenza vaccine made in a mammalian cell line, rather than chicken eggs.[13] The plan was to manufacture the vaccine in Holly Springs, North Carolina. The United States government provided $500 million in construction costs and guaranteed vaccine purchases.[14]
Novartis' flu vaccine unit was sold to CSL Limited in 2014, and was placed under CSL subsidiary, bioCSL (Seqirus).[15]
bioCSL as marketing authorization holder decided to discontinue the usage of Optaflu brand in 2017 due to commercial reasons[16]
Fluzone is typically administered in a single dose by intramuscular injection;[18] an intradermal injection is also available.[19] It is presented as a 0.25 ml syringe for pediatric use, as a 0.5 ml syringe for adults and children, as a 0.5 ml vial for adults and children, and as a 5 ml vial for adults and children.[18] Fluzone must be refrigerated under temperatures from 2 to 8 °C (36 to 46 °F) and is inactivated by freezing. Fluzone was initially approved in 1980 by the FDA.[18]
Adverse effects
The following adverse effects have been reported:[18]
Mild soreness, local pain and swelling at the local of the injection
In small children and in people with no previous exposure to a flu vaccine, episodes of fever, malaise, myalgia (muscle pain)
A high-dose vaccine (Fluzone High-Dose) four times the strength of standard flu vaccine was approved by the FDA in 2009.[20]Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag[21][17] The DNA for the hemagglutinin antigen of influenza virus is added to a baculovirus. This recombinant virus is then used to infect cultured insect cells (of the moth Spodoptera frugiperda), which subsequently produce the hemagglutinin protein. The protein is harvested and purified. This is done for four different types of influenza hemagglutinin to create the Flublok Quadrivalent vaccine.[22]
Seqirus
Afluria and its quadrivalent formulation are a split virus inactivated vaccines. Fluad and its quadrivalent formulations are adjuvanted surface antigen inactivated vaccines. Flucelvax and its quadrivalent formulations are surface antigen inactivated vaccines prepared in cell cultures.
Novartis developed the first influenza vaccine, which did not need to be grown in chicken eggs, a cell-based vaccine.[23]
In 2014, CSL Limited obtained Novartis' flu vaccine unit, and transferred it to CSL Subsidiary, bioCSL, named Seqirus.[15]
The following are list of bioCSL flu vaccine brands:[24]