Novartis Completes Shipment Of Fluvirin to US

Novartis has completed its entire shipment of seasonal influenza vaccine to the US for the 2009/2010 season. As anticipated, the company delivered 27 million doses of Fluvirin influenza virus vaccine, which has been approved by the FDA.

Fluvirin, a seasonal influenza vaccine, is indicated for patients 4 years and older. The vaccine contains antigens to the three influenza virus strains for this year’s vaccine recommended by the WHO in January 2009.

Reportedly, on September 27, Novartis also began shipments of the first doses of its influenza A(H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine to the US.

Novartis Influenza A(H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine was approved by the FDA on September 15, 2009. The A(H1N1) vaccine is an inactivated subunit vaccine approved for active immunisation of persons 4 years of age and older, including patients with underlying chronic medical conditions.

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded Novartis two contracts totaling $979m for purchase of H1N1 bulk vaccine and the Novartis proprietary MF59 adjuvant.

Andrin Oswald, CEO of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, said: “Novartis is pleased to have delivered more seasonal influenza vaccine to the US market by the end of September than we have in any previous year allowing more people to get their vaccine early in the season.

“We are relieved to have been able to complete our deliveries ahead of schedule despite the challenging task to produce large quantities of A(H1N1) pandemic vaccines at the same time. We hope that the early delivery of our Fluvirin vaccine will help physicians and public health officials better prepare for the upcoming flu season and balance the needs for pandemic and seasonal vaccination.”