Seasonal influenza vaccine brands

Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Brands

Seasonal influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection and severe outcomes caused by influenza viruses. Various brands of seasonal influenza vaccines are available worldwide, each with their unique formulation and production methods.

Types of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines

There are three main types of seasonal influenza vaccines: inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV), live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV), and recombinant influenza vaccines (RIV).

Inactivated Influenza Vaccines (IIV)

Inactivated Influenza Vaccines (IIV) are made by inactivating (killing) the virus during the process of making the vaccine. The following are some of the brands of IIV:

• Fluzone: Manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur, Fluzone is available in standard-dose, high-dose, and pediatric formulations.
• Afluria: Produced by Seqirus, Afluria is a standard-dose vaccine.

Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccines (LAIV)

Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccines (LAIV) contain a live but weakened form of the influenza virus. The following is a brand of LAIV:

• FluMist: Manufactured by AstraZeneca, FluMist is a nasal spray vaccine.

Recombinant Influenza Vaccines (RIV)

Recombinant Influenza Vaccines (RIV) are produced using recombinant technology. This method does not require an egg-grown vaccine virus and does not use the influenza virus. The following is a brand of RIV:

• FluBlok: Manufactured by Protein Sciences, FluBlok is a trivalent vaccine.

Effectiveness of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines

The effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccines can vary based on several factors, including the age and health status of the person getting vaccinated and the similarity between the viruses used in the vaccine production and the circulating viruses in the community.

See Also

• Influenza vaccine
• Influenza A virus
• Influenza B virus
• Influenza pandemic
• Vaccine