Australia’s first cell-based influenza vaccine Approved for use Adults and children over 2 years old.
In a statement written in the Epoch Times, the Therapeutic Goods Department (TGA) stated that the Flucelvax Quad vaccine was the first and only cell-based influenza vaccine available in Australia and was approved by Australians over the age of two. It states that it is.
“We want to give Australians access to cell-based influenza vaccine technology,” said Jonathan Anderson, head of vaccine manufacturers for medical problems in the Asia-Pacific region.
“Flucelvax Quad offers options for influenza vaccination. It is important for patients to discuss their options with their healthcare providers before making a decision.”
The news came after TGA approved a four-line vaccine for Australians over the age of nine. Previously 2020..
Seqirus UK Limited is developing a vaccine. With offices in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia, the company is one of the largest influenza vaccine companies in the world.
The company is owned by CSL, a leading Australian-based biotechnology company. Manufacture of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine In Melbourne.
According to the 2017 World Health Organization recommendation, the 4-strain vaccine contains 2 strains found in Singapore. One from Darwin and the other from Washington.
Cell-based vaccines differ from previous influenza vaccines in that virus particles are produced in mammalian cell culture rather than chicken eggs, which is a common method of producing influenza vaccines.
Benefits of cell culture vaccines It does not require the supply of fertilized chick eggs. In addition, because eggs-produced viruses must undergo biochemical processes in eggs, there is concern that the virus will introduce mutations commonly found in birds rather than humans.
Mammals are more closely associated with humans, whereas the introduced mutants are closer to those found in humans and are therefore believed to be more effective.
However, because cell culture in mammals is about 40% more expensive than vaccines produced in eggs, the mainstreaming of cell-based influenza vaccines will impact the global distribution of influenza vaccines.
Recent research Cell-based vaccines have generally shown to be more effective than egg-based influenza vaccines.
Nonetheless, no clinical studies have revealed the actual efficacy of the Flucelvax Quad vaccine, except for the TGA review, which states that the vaccine functions like any other influenza vaccine on the market.
The vaccine is currently approved by both the TGA and FDA in the United States.
General side effects (pdf) Participants in the TGA clinical trial experienced pain and redness at the injection site, headache and malaise.
Common unsolicited side effects included upper respiratory tract infections affecting about 3.5% of samples, and 3% reported common cold symptoms.
However, post-marketing side effects include widespread swelling of the injected limbs, anaphylactic shock, allergic or immediate allergic reactions including thorny skin (pins and needles), and skin reactions such as itching, hives and rashes. It was.
The Flucelvax Quad will be excluded from the national immune program in 2022, but the company hopes to be included in the future.
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Marina Chan is based in Melbourne and focuses on Australian news. Contact her at [email protected]