FDA approves new flu vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday it has approved a new vaccine to prevent seasonal influenza.
Agriflu, made by Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, is not intended to protect against the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu.
The vaccine was approved using an accelerated approval process, the FDA said. Novartis demonstrated that the vaccine induces levels of antibodies in the blood that are effective in preventing seasonal influenza, but it still needs to conduct further studies.
Agriflu, for ages 18 and older, is administered as a single injection in the upper arm and is available in single-dose, prefilled syringes, according to the FDA.
Novartis produces another licensed vaccine for seasonal influenza, Fluvirin, approved for ages 4 and older.
Although no vaccine is 100 percent effective in preventing disease, vaccination is the key to flu prevention, according to the FDA...

READ MORE