Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Helen Branswell
Published on 2024-03-05 22:25:07
When Americans line up for flu vaccines next fall, they will be receiving vaccines without protection against a family of flu viruses that are believed to be extinct. Experts advising the FDA on vaccine-related issues have recommended the approval of trivalent flu vaccines for the 2024-2025 season, replacing the quadrivalent shots that have been used for the past decade.
The decision to remove the B/Yamagata component from flu vaccines was based on the fact that these viruses have not been detected anywhere in the world since March 2020. The World Health Organization also recommended removing this component from future flu vaccines, and the VRBPAC committee pushed for this change to be implemented for the upcoming flu season.
Despite industry representatives expressing the need for more time due to regulatory challenges in various countries, the FDA and VRBPAC were not willing to delay the transition. As a result, all manufacturers supplying the U.S. market will be making trivalent vaccines for the 2024-2025 flu season.
The shift to trivalent vaccines was made in alignment with the WHO’s recommendations for the strains to be included in the winter 2024-2025 shots. While the WHO recommended both trivalent and quadrivalent vaccines, VRBPAC decided to recommend trivalent vaccines for the U.S. market.
The transition to trivalent vaccines has been easier in the U.S. compared to other countries, as all manufacturers have existing licenses for trivalent vaccines that could be reactivated. Despite concerns about the decline in flu vaccine uptake post-Covid-19 pandemic and potential misinterpretation by a vaccine-hesitant public, the committee believes that clear messaging can help reinforce confidence in vaccines and the regulatory process.
The decision to remove the B/Yamagata component from flu vaccines reflects a data-driven approach to public health, ensuring that vaccines are updated based on the latest epidemiology. This move is seen as a positive step towards aligning vaccine recommendations with current virus circulation patterns.
In conclusion, the switch to trivalent flu vaccines for the 2024-2025 season is a proactive measure to adapt to changes in the circulating flu viruses. Public health officials, regulators, and vaccine manufacturers are working together to ensure that vaccines remain effective and up-to-date in the fight against influenza.
