Fluzone® Influenza Vaccine
Sanofi Pasteur's Fluzone® Quadrivalent influenza vaccine contains the two influenza A and B strains identified for the current flu season. The Fluzone vaccine is given to people six months of age and older. The Fluzone High-Dose vaccine is given to people 65 years of age and older, containing four killed flu virus strains. In addition, Fluzone High-Dose has four times the antigen (the part of the vaccine that helps your body build up protection against flu viruses) of standard-dose inactivated influenza vaccines. Sanofi says the higher dose of antigen in the vaccine is intended to give older people a better immune response and better protection against the flu.
Sanofi Pasteur produces influenza vaccines each year across five international sites: Swiftwater (Pennsylvania, United States), Pearl River (New York, United States), Val-de-Reuil, Ocoyoacac (Mexico), and Shenzhen (China). As the largest manufacturer of influenza vaccines globally, Sanofi has continuously invested in expanding manufacturing capabilities and will distribute more than 250 million doses of influenza vaccines globally in 2020. As of September 2023, the Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine has shown better protection than standard-dose flu shots in older adults.
With more than 100,000 people in 100 countries, Sanofi is transforming scientific innovation into healthcare solutions around the globe.
Fluzone Vaccine Price
Sanofi Pasteur provides a coding and reimbursement guide for healthcare providers. According to CMS.gov 2022-2023 flu season payment allowance, the Fluzone High-Dose price is $69.94. Fluzone Quadrivalent is priced at $21.52. InstantRx™ is a digital gateway empowering people to find lower-priced medicines and vaccines easily.
Fluzone Indication
Fluzone Quadrivalent and Fluzone High-Dose vaccines help prevent influenza disease caused by influenza A and B strains contained in each vaccine. It is approved to help protect eligible people six months and older. Fluzone High-Dose is formulated for people 65 years and older, including four times the standard dose. It's proven 24.2% more effective than the standard-dose Fluzone vaccine in preventing the flu.
Fluzone Safety
Fluzone Quadrivalent and Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent should not be given to anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to any vaccine component (including eggs or egg products for Fluzone Quadrivalent and Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent) or after a previous dose of the vaccine. In addition, Fluzone Quadrivalent and Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent should not be given to anyone with a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of any influenza vaccine.
Fluzone and COVID-19 Vaccines
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued interim clinical considerations stating that 'COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines, including influenza vaccines, can be administered without regard to timing. The annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged six months and older who do not have contraindications. 'Providers should be aware of the potential for increased reactogenicity with coadministration and consult the CDC for updated guidance as more information becomes available. If coadministered, COVID-19 vaccines and vaccines that might be more likely to cause a local reaction (e.g., aIIV4 or HD-IIV4) should be administered in different limbs, if possible.'
October 20, 2021, the CDC reported on the interim results from a Phase 2 clinical trial that studies Fluzone and the third dose of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (SpikeVax) administered either concomitantly or singly in participants 65 Years of age and older who were previously vaccinated with a 2-dose schedule of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The study results of the 296 trial participants demonstrate that QIV-HD and mRNA-1273 vaccine (100µg) can be administered safely together without evidence of immunogenicity interference, supporting existing coadministration recommendations of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.
Fluzone Side Effects
Fluzone vaccines are generally well-tolerated; however, if you or your loved one has an adverse reaction to the vaccine, that information should be reported to VAERS. VAERS is a U.S. passive reporting system that relies on individuals to send reports of their experiences with a vaccine. However, anyone can submit information to VAERS, including parents and patients. Furthermore, healthcare providers are required by law to report to VAERS.
Fluzone News
September 13, 2023 - Michael Greenberg, MD, MPH, North America Medical Head of Vaccines at Sanofi, commented in a press release, "The flu can be a serious public health threat and lead to complications such as heart attack, stroke, and pneumonia. These can be especially dangerous for older adults, ethnic and racial minority groups at an increased risk of being hospitalized from the flu, and those living with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. Our hope is that, as a part of our annual commitment to educating the public about the flu, this campaign will increase awareness of the importance of flu vaccination and remind older adults and at-risk populations that there are vaccines available to them that may provide better protection for their specific needs, such as Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent or Flublok Quadrivalent."
June 17, 2021 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research has approved Sanofi Pasteur, Sanofi's vaccines global business unit, for an additional influenza manufacturing facility in Swiftwater, PA.
March 8, 2021 - Certain patients have an increased risk of influenza infections and poor serologic response to standard influenza vaccination. A new study found that high-dose influenza vaccination leads to more robust and durable seroprotection in high-risk patients.
October 7, 2020 - High-dose flu vaccine is in short supply. The CDC recommends getting the regular dose if the high-dose vaccine is unavailable.
Fluzone Influenza Clinical Trials
Fluzone has been tested in over 150 clinical trials.
