FRIDAY, July 30 (HealthDay News) -- The annual flu vaccine for
the 2010-2011 influenza season has been approved by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration, the agency said Friday.
The yearly vaccine protects against the three strains predicted
to be most prevalent in the United States. This year's shot
includes protection against the H1N1 ("swine") flu that emerged in
2009. The specific strains are:
- A/California/7/09 (H1N1)-like virus (pandemic (H1N1) 2009
influenza virus)
- A/Perth /16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus
- B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus
Brand names and manufacturers for the vaccine are: Afluria, CSL
Limited; Agriflu, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics; Fluarix,
GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals; FluLaval, ID Biomedical Corporation;
FluMist, MedImmune Vaccines Inc.; Fluvirin, Novartis Vaccines and
Diagnostics Limited; and Fluzone and Fluzone High-Dose, Sanofi
Pasteur Inc.
"The best way to protect yourself and your family against influenza is to get vaccinated every year," said Karen Midthun, M.D., acting director of FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. "The availability of a new seasonal influenza vaccine each year is an important tool in the prevention of influenza related illnesses and death."
More information
The FDA has more about
this approval.