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First high-dose flu vax on PBAC agenda
Posted 21 December 2017
Sanofi has applied to have its high-dose influenza vaccine listed on the National Immunisation Program for 2018 after a horror flu season this year raised questions regarding the efficacy of listed vaccines.
Sanofi's high-dose trivalent vaccine Fluzone and Seqirus' Fluad are both on the PBAC's March agenda seeking NIP access for Australians aged 65 and older. Fluad is an adjuvant version of earlier vaccines, making it more effective.
The two vaccine manufacturers revealed they were working with the TGA to get the vaccines registered on the ARTG in October following claims by Immunisation Coalition Professor Paul Van Buynder that Australians had been given a $6 "budget" flu vaccine for the 2017 flu season - a figure which was disputed by Sanofi as being incorrect.
Van Buynder said the government had failed to list FluZone despite it being 24 per cent more effective and claimed it cost $8 per dose - again a price Sanofi says was incorrect.
FluZone was filed with the TGA in July and is expected to be registered on the ARTG in time for the release of the PBAC March outcomes in April - in time for the vaccination season from May.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy said the two companies had previously not applied to register the vaccines on the ARTG or sought NIP listing.
He said Health Minister Greg Hunt had requested he work with the manufacturers to bring the new and strengthened vaccines to Australia, suggesting the vaccines have a strong chance of PBAC success.
Megan Brodie
megan.brodie@lushmedia.com.au
Posted 21 December 2017
Sanofi has applied to have its high-dose influenza vaccine listed on the National Immunisation Program for 2018 after a horror flu season this year raised questions regarding the efficacy of listed vaccines.
Sanofi's high-dose trivalent vaccine Fluzone and Seqirus' Fluad are both on the PBAC's March agenda seeking NIP access for Australians aged 65 and older. Fluad is an adjuvant version of earlier vaccines, making it more effective.
The two vaccine manufacturers revealed they were working with the TGA to get the vaccines registered on the ARTG in October following claims by Immunisation Coalition Professor Paul Van Buynder that Australians had been given a $6 "budget" flu vaccine for the 2017 flu season - a figure which was disputed by Sanofi as being incorrect.
Van Buynder said the government had failed to list FluZone despite it being 24 per cent more effective and claimed it cost $8 per dose - again a price Sanofi says was incorrect.
FluZone was filed with the TGA in July and is expected to be registered on the ARTG in time for the release of the PBAC March outcomes in April - in time for the vaccination season from May.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy said the two companies had previously not applied to register the vaccines on the ARTG or sought NIP listing.
He said Health Minister Greg Hunt had requested he work with the manufacturers to bring the new and strengthened vaccines to Australia, suggesting the vaccines have a strong chance of PBAC success.
Megan Brodie
megan.brodie@lushmedia.com.au
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