2022-23 Influenza Vaccines Arriving in the USA

GSK plc announced yesterday it has started shipping its quadrivalent influenza vaccines to U.S.-based healthcare providers and pharmacies in preparation for the 2022-23 season. GSK expects to distribute over 50 million doses of its innovative flu shots in the USA.

Both FLULAVAL QUADRIVALENT and FLUARIX QUADRIVALENT will be available in a 0.5mL, single-dose, pre-filled syringe and are indicated for patients six months and older in line with U.S. CDC recommendations.

'Anyone can get the flu; however, it can be serious for young children, adults 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing chronic health conditions, such as asthma, stated GSK's press release issued on July 11, 2022.

According to CDC, annual influenza vaccinations are the best way to help protect against the flu.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that can be spread easily through coughing, sneezing, and nasal secretions.

Furthermore, influenza is different from the common cold and stomach virus. It may impact each person differently.

For egg-based influenza vaccines for the 2022-23 flu season, the World Health Organization and U.S. FDA recommended including an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus, an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus, a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus and a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.

A recent study found that when circulating influenza viruses have 'drifted', the benefits of vaccinations are measurable.

Despite increased large-scale public health efforts during the 2021-2022 flu season, vaccination rates were similar to the 2020-2021 season.

The CDC reported flu shot coverage for children and adolescents was about 2% points lower as of the week ending April 9, 2022, compared with last season (55.3% compared to 57.3%).

About 174.9 million vaccine doses had been distributed during the last flu season.

Additional flu shot news is posted at PrecisionVaccinations.com/Flu.