FDA: new B strain added to flu vaccine

     The Food and Drug Administration has added a new B Australian strain (B/Victoria/02/87 HA) to the 2002/2003 influenza vaccine formulation.  The 2002/2003 vaccine will still include the two influenza Type A strains that were used in the 2001/2002 vaccine, H1N1 (A/New/Caldeonia/20/99 and H3N2 (A/Panama/2007/99).

     The Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices posted their recommendations for influenza flu vaccine in February, 2002, stating that the influenza vaccine is the most effective way to prevent against the influenza disease and its many complications.  ACIP voted to prioritize vaccination efforts in October and earlier to target persons at high risk of complication from influenza, health care workers and children under 9 years of age who are receiving the vaccine for the first time, because they will need a booster dose one month after the initial dose.  All other groups, including household members of high-risk persons, healthy persons between the ages of 50-64 and others who wish to decrease their risk of influenza infection should begin vaccination in November.  Vaccinations are also recommended for use after November.

     In addition, the committee is "encouraging" influenza vaccination for healthy children aged 6 months to 23 months because children in this age group are at a substantially increased risk for influenza-related hospitalizations.  A full recommendation to annually vaccinate healthy children aged 6 months to 23 months is expected to be made with in the next three years.

      It is reported that Aventis-Pasteur  has stopped accepting pre-orders for the 2002/2003 vaccine because of an unprecedented early demand.  Those who order the vaccine from Aventis-Pasteur will be placed on a waiting list or re-directed to other suppliers.  Information on pre-ordering the influenza vaccine may be obtained from Wyeth-Lederle Vaccine at 800-572-8221 or Evans Vaccines at 800-521-7468.

For more information on the addition of the new B strain visit the FDA site at: www.fda.gov

For more information on the ACIP recommendations visit:  www.cdc.gov/nip/Flu/ACIP_2002-03_recs.htm