FDA approves vaccines for upcoming flu season

WASHINGTON The Food and Drug Administration has approved this year’s seasonal influenza vaccines, which include all new strains as compared to the 2007-2008 flu season.

It is unusual for all three strains to be different than in the prior year, but the agency believes that these new strains are most likely what will cause the flu in the U.S. this coming year. The FDA noted that, two of three strains recommended this year are now in use in the Southern Hemisphere’s influenza season, which is currently taking place.

The six vaccines and their manufacturers are: CSL Limited, Afluria; GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Fluarix; ID Biomedical, FluLaval; MedImmune Vaccines, FluMist; Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Fluvirin; and Sanofi Pasteur, Fluzone.