Novartis Vaccines, the second largest supplier of influenza vaccines in the US, plans to produce approximately 40 million doses of its Fluvirin vaccine for distribution in the US during the upcoming 2007/08 influenza season - a 30 per cent increase in supply from Novartis compared to the previous influenza season.
Based on accelerated production plans, approximately half of these doses are planned for delivery by the end of September, with all doses expected to be delivered by the end of October. The exact timing of deliveries will depend on the release of doses by the US Food and Drug Administration. As in the past, Novartis will ensure a continuous supply of vaccines for the upcoming influenza season.
"Providing a reliable and timely supply of flu vaccines is a top priority for Novartis in supporting US public health goals of increasing vaccination rates among the growing number of people at risk and recommended for vaccination," said Rajiv De Silva, president of Novartis Vaccines in the US.
"The early availability of Novartis influenza vaccines will enable healthcare providers to open additional clinics early in the season, a period when vaccination is most often requested," De Silva said.
Influenza vaccines are updated each year to address changes in the viruses. Traditional "flu shots" are made from viruses that have been inactivated (killed), while nasally delivered vaccines are made with live attenuated influenza viruses.
Fluvirin contains the three influenza virus strains identified in the annual public health expert assessment for the 2007-2008 season in the US, which are: A/Solomon Islands/3/2006 (H1N1)-like virus; A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2)-like virus; B/Malaysia/2506/2004-like virus.
Novartis was the first to provide injectable influenza vaccines to the US for the previous year, having fulfilled and surpassed its overall supply commitment for the 2006-2007 season.
An early and reliable availability of vaccine supplies is important to support public health officials and generate confidence that vaccines will be available to protect more of the population.
Vaccines help prevent influenza-related deaths and hospitalizations
In an average year in the US, influenza causes more than 200,000 hospitalizations and kills approximately 36,000 people, primarily in people over age 65. Among elderly nursing home residents, the flu shot can help prevent cases and deaths from the flu. When combined with pneumonia, these diseases are the seventh leading cause of death in the US, killing more people than any other infectious diseases.
The annual direct medical costs of influenza are estimated at USD 3 billion to USD 5 billion. Total direct and indirect costs, including lost work days, of a severe flu epidemic could be as high as USD 12 billion to USD 14 billion.
Influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza, which is a contagious disease caused by a virus that affects the respiratory tract. The results are often a cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose as well as fever, headache, extreme tiredness and muscle aches. An infection can also lead to complications such as bacterial pneumonia, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions, including congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.
Influenza vaccination not only helps to decrease the risk of influenza and its complications for the vaccine recipient but can also reduce the risk of the virus spreading to those who come in contact with vaccinated people.
Although the flu season can begin earlier, it usually starts in December, peaks in January or February, and continues through March. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the primary months for vaccinations are October and November, but earlier vaccinations are recommended as well as vaccinations in December or later for those not vaccinated earlier.