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WHO: Northern Hemisphere 2012-2013 Flu Vaccine Composition

 

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After consultations this week with public health officials, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies the World Health Organization has released their recommendation for the antigen composition of this fall’s trivalent flu vaccine.

 

 

Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2012-2013 northern hemisphere influenza season

It is recommended that vaccines for use in the 2012-2013 influenza season (northern hemisphere winter) contain the following:

  • an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
  • an A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus;
  • a B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like virus.
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                                        Due to the continual antigenic drift of flu viruses, flu vaccine formulations are frequently adjusted. After 3 years with essentially no changes in the flu vaccine, this new formulation makes changes to both the H3N2 and B virus strains.

                                         

                                        The H1N1 component remains essentially unchanged, with the A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like  still recommended.

                                         

                                        • The old A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus now gives way to the A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus.
                                        • And the Victoria lineage B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus will be replaced by a Yamagata strain; the B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like virus. 

                                         

                                        While the World Health Organization makes vaccine recommendations twice each year (Recommendations  are made in September for the Southern Hemisphere), national and regional public health organizations are responsible for deciding what formulation to use locally.

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