The first high-dose quadrivalent flu vaccine arrives in Italy. It has been developed to give better protection to those over 65 who represent the population at greater risk of serious complications related to influenza such as pneumonia, cardio-vascular events and stroke.
A few weeks after the authorization in Europe, the Efluelda (this is its name), with the publication in the Official Journal, has obtained the marketing authorization also in Italy. It has four times the amount of antigen compared to the standard dose quadrivalent vaccine. It will be available for distribution in Italy starting from the next flu season.
"As the Department of Health Sciences of the University of Genoa, we have contributed to the clinical development of the Efluelda vaccine, participating as an Italian experimental center in the European authorization clinical trial - explains Giancarlo Icardi, professor of Hygiene at the University of Genoa -. We therefore contributed to the creation of further scientific evidence to support this tool, intended to improve the protection of the population over 65 years of age against flu disease and its complications ".
This vaccine, says Giovanni Checcucci Lisi, medical director of Sanofi Pasteur in Italy, is "suitable for 65 years of age" and "will allow greater protection in subjects who, due to the physiological immunosenescence phenomenon, need specific vaccines". Furthermore, he points out, "it has shown superior efficacy in preventing hospitalizations in the elderly who run a higher risk of complications, also avoiding cardiovascular events and pneumonia". (HANDLE).
