Trivalent Flu Shot Formulations Coming Next Season

As a global leader in the protection of public health, CSL Seqirus announced today that it is working to change the formulation of its influenza vaccine portfolio.

On February 8, 2024, Seqirus confirmed the B/Yamagata influenza virus strain will be removed from its influenza vaccines distributed in the United States, preferably in time for the 2024-2025 flu season. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that over 157 million influenza vaccines were already distributed during the 2023-2024 flu season. 

Dave Ross, Vice President of Commercial Operations, North America, CSL Seqirus, informed Precision Vaccinations, "CSL Seqirus has been working closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), to plan for a seamless transition from quadrivalent to trivalent influenza vaccines in time for the 2024/25 flu season in the U.S."

"We're proud to have responded so quickly to the FDA's directive, and we are on track to deliver our vaccines to Healthcare Providers in time for their routine flu immunization programs, which typically begin in September."

"We remain committed to working with public health authorities and healthcare providers to achieve their immunization goals, which include increasing immunization rates and improving awareness about the seriousness of influenza and the importance of immunization across the U.S."

A decline in B/Yamagata circulation was initially detected by the WHO's global influenza response and surveillance system, which confirmed that no B/Yamagata lineage viruses have been seen since March 2020.

The disappearance of B/Yamagata is a testament to the critical role of widely implemented influenza immunization programs, amongst other contributing factors such as the inherent characteristics and epidemiology of the B/Yamagata virus and the unique environment created by the recent pandemic.

CSL Seqirus is the only influenza vaccine manufacturer that offers differentiated vaccine options for individuals six months of age and older. For the current flu season, Seqirus's influenza vaccine offering includes:

• FLUCELVAX® QUADRIVALENT is an inactivated vaccine indicated for active immunization for the prevention of influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine. It is approved for use in persons six months of age and older.
• AFLURIA® QUADRIVALENT is an inactivated influenza vaccine indicated for active immunization against influenza disease caused by influenza A subtype viruses and type B viruses contained in the vaccine. It is approved for use in persons six months of age and older.
• FLUAD® QUADRIVALENT is an inactivated influenza vaccine indicated for active immunization against influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine. It is approved for use in persons 65 years of age and older.

These innovative flu shots are generally available at health clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.