The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first quadrivalent, adjuvanted influenza vaccine for use in adults ages 65 and older, reports drugmaker Seqirus.
Fluad Quadrivalent uses the same MF59 adjuvant technology found in the company’s Fluad trivalent vaccine to create a stronger immune response to the vaccination. The new drug adds an additional strain to the older drug, which the FDA approved in 2015.
Adults ages 65 and older are at particular risk for poor flu outcomes. Vaccine effectiveness is also lower in this group due to age-related immune decline, which reduces the body’s ability to produce a sufficient immune response to the vaccine, Seqirus stated.
“Adults 65 years and older are at high risk for influenza-related complications each season and it is important to have influenza vaccines to help protect this vulnerable population,” said Anjana Narain, executive VP and general manager
The original Fluad has an extensive clinical legacy, according to Seqirus. More than 114 million doses have been distributed and the drug is licensed in 29 countries.
