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"Seqirus Media Monitoring" 25th Sep 2020

Seqirus mentions
Germany - BMG procures another six million doses of influenza vaccine
In Germany, the Federal Ministry of Health has organized to procure a further six million doses of flu vaccine. These include: Influsplit Tetra (GSK), Influvac Tetra (Mylan), Flucelvax Tetra (Seqirus) and Vaxigrip Tetra (Sanofi-Aventis). In addition, there is an unspecified amount of the vaccine "Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent" from Sanofi, which has been approved in Europe but has not yet been introduced.
Industry News
Sanofi isn’t cutting corners in coronavirus vaccine development despite acceleration, CEO says
Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson told CNBC that the company is not cutting any corners in its pursuit of developing a coronavirus vaccine. “We have been making vaccines for over 100 years. We haven’t changed anything in the way we do things, we’ve just accelerated,” Hudson said. While Sanofi’s development timeline is slightly behind other drugmakers such as Moderna and Pfizer, Hudson said he was confident in the tried-and-true process the company is operating. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, the company supplied around 1 billion doses of vaccines for other infectious diseases across the world, Hudson noted.
EMA committee recommends approval of recombinant influenza vaccine, Supemtek to prevent influenza
The European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has adopted a positive opinion for Supemtek (recombinant influenza vaccine) for active immunization for the prevention of influenza in adults. A final decision is expected in Q4 2020. The recommendation is based on clinical data demonstrating safety and efficacy of Supemtek demonstrated in two phase 3 randomized controlled trials involving more than 10,000 patients. In comparison with a standard-dose egg-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine, Supemtek reduced the risk of influenza by an additional 30% for adults aged 50 years and above. Supemtek has been available in the US since 2017 – under Flublok brand name, with over ten million doses distributed since then.
Fujifilm seeks government approval for a COVID-19 treatment that is said to speed up recovery
Fujifilm said that it will ask the Japanese government to approve its anti-influenza drug Avigan as a coronavirus treatment after a monthslong clinical trial showed the drug speeds up recovery for COVID-19 patients. The study found that patients who received Avigan recovered in 11.9 days, compared to 14.7 days for patients in a placebo group. Before the pandemic, the Japanese government maintained a stockpile of Avigan in case of an influenza outbreak, but the drug was never available on the market, in part due to animal studies conducted prior to its 2014 regulatory approval that found evidence of birth defects.
Why COVID-19 Survivor Rita Wilson Is Urging Others to Get a Flu Shot
Having had influenza in the past, and being in her 60s, Rita Wilson is prioritizing getting the flu shot during the pandemic. Wilson says she also gets the flu shot to help others.To make her message public, she partnered with the American Nurses Association and Sanofi Pasteur to support their campaign, “The Race to 200 Million.” It’s an educational program that encourages everyone — especially the 200 million people over the age of 50 and those who have chronic health conditions who are most at-risk for flu-related complications — to prioritize their flu shot this year.
Pandemic Influenza News

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Academic studies
Antibodies protect against wide range of influenza B virus strains
Researchers have identified two antibodies that protect mice against lethal infections of influenza B virus, report scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Together with an antibody that targets the other major kind of influenza viruses that infect people—influenza A—these antibodies potentially could form the basis of a broad-spectrum flu drug that could treat almost all flu cases.
New T-cell-based vaccine strategy provides broader protection against seasonal influenza
As Americans begin pulling up their sleeves for an annual flu vaccine, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have provided new insights into an alternative vaccine approach that provides broader protection against seasonal influenza. In a study published in Cell Reports Medicine, scientists describe a T-cell-based vaccine strategy that is effective against multiple strains of influenza virus. The experimental vaccine, administered through the nose, delivered long-lasting, multi-pronged protection in the lungs of mice by rallying T-cells, specialist white blood cells that quickly eliminate viral invaders through an immune response.
Pediatric influenza news
COVID or flu? Doctors urge children get the flu vaccine so symptoms aren’t mistaken
Last flu season, nearly 200 children died from the flu. According to the CDC, only 21% of children eligible for the vaccine were actually vaccinated against the flu. “All pediatricians encourage children to get a flu shot, not so much to prevent the child from getting the flu, that ultimately is our hope,” said Dr. Kaylan Edwards, a Pediatrician at Novant Health Pediatrics Brunswick in Supply. “But the bigger thing is, children who are vaccinated against the flu, we know that if they were to still get the flu, they have a lot lower likelihood of having to end up in the hospital due to severe illness.”
Over 65’s influenza news
What you need to know about getting a high-dose flu shot this season
Canadians continue to hear about the importance of getting the influenza vaccine this year as the healthcare system prepares to tackle COVID-19, the flu and other respiratory viruses, but everyone should consider getting the vaccination as soon as possible. This year, the high-dose influenza vaccine for seniors age 65 and older is available at pharmacies, something Ontario Premier Doug Ford stressed as a particularly important achievement. “The only criteria is that they are 65-plus because in that age group is where we're seeing the evidence to suggest that it provides greater protection,” Chager said.
General Influenza News
Pharmacies in England pause online flu jab bookings as demand soars
Pharmacies across England are struggling to keep up with the demand for the flu vaccine, pausing online bookings and limiting it to those most in need. The country’s three largest pharmacy chains – Boots, LloydsPharmacy and Well Pharmacy – have all reported unprecedented demand after a government vaccination campaign to reduce the pressure on the NHS during a second wave of Covid-19. GP surgeries and pharmacies are to receive stocks of the flu vaccine in phased deliveries over coming weeks and months. But the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee said: “Some pharmacies report they are temporarily out of stock of some vaccines ahead of their next scheduled delivery and in some cases, all of their stock has already been administered to patients.”
‘Unconscionable’ for healthcare worker not to get flu vaccine, says Reid
In Ireland, it would be “unconscionable” for a healthcare worker not to get the flu vaccine this winter, given the threat posed by Covid-19, HSE chief executive Paul Reid has said. The HSE’s winter plan has a target of 75 per cent of staff getting the flu vaccine, from the current level of about 60 per cent, but Mr Reid pointed out that uptake was higher in many locations.
'There is more than enough' flu vaccine for those who need it, says health secretary
In England, Health Secretary Matt Hancock insists that 30 million doses of the flu vaccine will be more than enough for the people who are 'vulnerable' to the flu to be protected this season,
How to prevent the flu: simple tips to protect yourself this winter
As if coronavirus, a second lockdown and a curfew weren’t enough to deal with, flu season is nearly upon us. And a new study has revealed that this year’s outbreak could be more harmful than usual. According to Public Health England, catching flu and Covid-19 at the same time nearly doubles the risk of death. The most important thing to remember, is to get the flu jab if you’re eligible. If you aren’t eligible for a free jab, you can pay for one at pharmacies and supermarkets, although availability is currently limited.
When and Why You Should Get a Flu Shot
As the U.S. continues to grapple with the novel coronavirus pandemic, another infectious respiratory disease is already looming: influenza. The good news is that a safe and effective flu vaccine is already available to everyone aged six months and older. “The answer to the question ‘Why should you get a flu vaccine?’ is the same this year as it is every year. But there are some additional reasons why it’s extra beneficial to get [it] this year,” says Emily Landon, executive medical director of infection prevention and control at the University of Chicago Medicine. She explains that influenza can have dire consequences ranging from loss of productivity to death.
GPs sound alert over flu jab scheme amid Covid-19 crisis
In Northern Ireland, doctors face a bigger challenge than ever before in delivering the annual flu vaccination programme this year, a leading GP body has warned. Dr Laurence Dorman, NI chairman of the Royal College of GPs, told the Belfast Telegraph that it is "essential" practices here have a reliable and sufficient supply of flu jabs. His call comes as GPs in the Republic have reported low supplies of the flu vaccine amid high levels of demand due to concerns over the impact of Covid-19 during winter.
RCGP urges GPs to collaborate with pharmacies on flu jabs this year
The RCGP and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society have called on GP practices and community pharmacists to 'take a collaborative approach' to delivering this year's flu vaccination programme.
Coronavirus: Boots suspends flu jabs after 'unprecedented demand'
Boots has said it is no longer taking bookings for the flu jab "due to unprecedented demand". Officials have warned that both influenza and COVID-19 could be circulating at the same time and have been urging people who are eligible to get vaccinated. NHS England has said stocks of the live vaccine are available as experts warn that people should "not be complacent" over flu. Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Kay Burley there are "more than enough" supplies of the vaccine and that we have "record" amounts. Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds told Sky News she had heard from constituents in Oxford that they were having trouble accessing the jab.
Drive-thru flu shots? Vaccine vouchers? How getting the flu shot in Illinois will be different this year
Getting the flu shot this year is going to look different in Illinois as patients and medical facilities adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some Chicago-area doctors and pharmacies are offering drive-thru flu shots for kids and adults to help with social distancing. And some companies that normally offer vaccines in the office are giving vouchers to employees working from home that they can redeem at pharmacies. Meanwhile, children as young as 3 years old can now receive flu shots from pharmacists, a controversial change made by the federal government last month
Burden of disease

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Flu Surveillance in Animals
News Scan for Sep 23, 2020 - Avian flu outbreaks in 3 nations
In the latest highly pathogenic avian flu outbreak developments, the Philippines reports another outbreak involving H5N6, Russia confirmed more H5N8 detections in wild birds, and Taiwan reported more H5N5 events in poultry, according to the latest notifications from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

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