GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced it has started shipping doses of its trivalent influenza vaccines to US healthcare providers and pharmacies in preparation for the 2024-25 flu season. This immediately follows a licensing and lot-release approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In February 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the removal of B/Yamagata strains from seasonal influenza vaccines.1 The WHO recommends that egg-based trivalent vaccines for the 2024-2025 northern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:1
- A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus A/Thailand/8/2022 (H3N2)-like virus B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus
In partnership with regulatory bodies, GSK worked quickly to ensure production, approval and availability of trivalent influenza vaccines with the recommended composition for the 2024-25 flu season. GSK expects to distribute over 36 million doses of its trivalent influenza vaccines in the US this season. Both FLULAVAL and FLUARIX will be available in a 0.5mL, single-dose, pre-filled syringe and are indicated for people six months of age and older. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), annual influenza vaccination is the best way to help protect against the flu. Ideally, vaccination should occur by the end of October, but people should continue to get vaccinated as long as the flu poses a threat.2 CDC recommends an annual flu vaccination for anyone aged six months or older who does not have contraindications.2 CDC estimates that from October 1, 2023, through June 15, 2024, there have been 35 – 65 million flu illnesses, 390,000 – 830,000 flu hospitalizations and 25,000 – 72,000 flu deaths.3
