GlaxoSmithKline's FLUVIRAL® Receives Marketing Authorization from Health
Canada as NACI Issues Recommendation for 2010/2011 Seasonal Influenza
Vaccination

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 20 /CNW/ - Last week, GlaxoSmithKline Inc. was informed that Health Canada has granted marketing authorization for the 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine, FLUVIRAL®, for children (6 months and older) and adults, including individuals over 60 years old.

FLUVIRAL® is a trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) and is one of five seasonal influenza vaccines that will be available to Canadians this flu season.  All five products will contain the same three strains of seasonal influenza virus:  A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like strain, A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like strain, B/Brisbane/60/2008-like strain.  The composition of the seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended annually by the World Health Organization and endorsed by each national regulatory authority where the vaccines are made available.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has issued an updated statement for the 2010/2011 flu season.  In addition to encouraging immunization to protect against seasonal flu for all healthy Canadians, the NACI statement reiterates that those persons at high risk of influenza-related complications, those capable of transmitting influenza to individuals at high risk of complications and those who provide essential community services should be a priority for immunization programs.

It is anticipated that the pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) (pH1N1) will be in circulation during the upcoming influenza season, and therefore it has been included in this year's seasonal flu vaccines.  Based upon this, the updated NACI statement has identified three additional high-risk groups who should be a primary focus of immunization programs based upon data that demonstrates they experienced higher rates of pH1N1-related hospitalizations and severe outcomes during the 2009 pandemic. These groups include: persons with morbid obesity, Aboriginal peoples, and children 2 to 4 years of age.

"It's important for all Canadians to remember that even if you received an H1N1 pandemic vaccination last year, you may not be protected from this year's seasonal flu.  The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) recommends that Canadians receive a flu shot every year." confirms Dr. Don Low, Microbiologist-in-Chief at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is one of the world's leading vaccine manufacturers supplying more than a quarter of the global vaccine market, and 75% of the doses required to support Canada's national government run, publicly funded seasonal flu program. 

GSK is also a leading research-based pharmaceutical company with a challenging and inspiring mission: to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better, and live longer. This mission gives GSK the purpose to develop innovative medicines, vaccines and healthcare solutions that help millions of people. GSK is consistently recognized as one of the 50 best employers in Canada and is a top 15 investor in Canadian research and development, contributing more than $144 million in 2009 alone. With a proud tradition of charitable and community support, GSK is designated a Caring Company by Imagine Canada. Discover more at GSK.ca.

For further information:

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