The Live Nagpur
  • Nagpur City
  • Nagpur Education
  • Nagpur Sports
  • Business
  • Featured
  • Crime
  • Entertainment & Lifestyle
  • Health & Wellness
  • Nation
  • Politics
  • Trending
  • Vidarbha
  • Obituary

The Live Nagpur


  • Home
  • City
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Forest
  • Featured
  • Vidarbha
Health & Wellness

Abbott launches new four-strain flu vaccine for wide protection against influenza

by TLN Team February 25, 2020February 26, 2020
written by TLN Team February 25, 2020February 26, 2020
Abbott launches new four-strain flu vaccine for wide protection against influenza

Abbott, the global healthcare company, recently launched a new inactivated quadrivalent vaccine for influenza, the first of its kind sub-unit vaccine offering protection against four virus strains, in India. It is the only 0.5 ml quadrivalent flu vaccine in India that has been approved for use in children below 3 years. In fact, it can be given to children from 6 months onwards, and to adults. A 0.5 ml vaccine could improve the immune response in children below 3 years 2.

A globally approved product, Abbott’s vaccine offers wide protection by immunizing against four different flu virus strains simultaneously. Hence, it is called a quadrivalent or tetravalent vaccine. It includes a second B-strain of influenza virus, compared to one B-strain included in trivalent vaccines. Recommending a vaccine can be complex for the health authorities. This is because there may be a mismatch in the vaccine strain and the circulating viral strain. Therefore, the inclusion of an additional B-strain in quadrivalent vaccines can help broaden protection.

As per a recently published study on this vaccine globally, in children, quadrivalent vaccines demonstrated superior immunogenicity or immune response compared with the alternate- lineage B-strains in trivalent vaccines, with comparable safety 3.

This is the first 3rd generation, quadrivalent sub-unit flu vaccine in India. A sub-unit vaccine is the most advanced flu vaccine 4. The benefit of a sub-unit vaccine is that it undergoes a further step of purification as compared to split vaccines, and thus is more refined. This may lead to lesser side-effects 5.

In clinical studies conducted globally across high-risk groups including children, the elderly, pregnant women, asthmatics and diabetics, sub-unit vaccines have shown better tolerability and a favourable safety profile compared to other flu vaccine types.

An inactivated influenza vaccine is beneficial in high risk populations, since it can be given to a larger set of people, such as pregnant women, children below 2 years, older adults and immunocompromised patients.

Dr. Srirupa Das, Medical Director, Abbott India said, “We are excited with the launch of the quadrivalent version of our flu vaccine, which can be offered to both children above 6 months and adults.

This particular type of vaccine provides good immune response with less side-effect. This is yet another significant step in Abbott’s endeavor to protect as many people as possible against the flu. As part of its “Mothers Against Influenza” (MAI) campaign, which recognizes the potentially serious consequences that influenza can have, Abbott is raising awareness among people on the importance of protecting families against influenza so that they may live healthier, fuller lives.”

A respiratory infection that affects all ages, influenza is distinct from the common cold. An influenza infection typically results in high fever lasting for 3 to 4 days, including symptoms such as headache, myalgia or muscle pain, exhaustion and severe chest discomfort and cough.

Moreover, influenza can cause serious complications in certain groups such as those with respiratory ailments, cardiac disease and diabetes, as well as young children and the elderly. Influenza A and B, the two viruses that cause human disease, are currently circulating globally and in India causing seasonal outbreaks. The disease burden of influenza is substantial, and B viruses have been estimated to be associated with 25% of all influenza related mortality.

Dr. Agam Vora, a leading Pulmonologist from Mumbai and President, Geriatric Society of India said, “The National Center of Disease Control estimates show that influenza reported cases have increased 5-fold in India from 5,044 in 2012 to 28798 in 2019. And in Maharashtra, influenza reported cases have increased 23% per annum from 643 in 2013 to 2,287 reported cases in 2019.

Vaccination is the best defense against influenza, and there is compelling evidence to show that quadrivalent vaccines offer wide-coverage protection. Studies show that these vaccines offer increased protection against alternate B-strains across different age-groups. Quadrivalent vaccines most benefit infants and children, not yet exposed to influenza B 12.”

Children are particularly vulnerable to influenza. One India study estimates over 16 million influenza cases occurred in 2016 in under-5-year-old patients, accounting for 10.9 million outpatient visits and 109,000 hospitalizations. Despite the proven benefits of influenza vaccination in children as well as adults and the elderly, immunization rates across all vaccine preventable diseases remain low.

  • Globally approved, this 3rd generation quadrivalent vaccine, offers wide coverage protection against four flu

virus strains for children and adults vs. three strains in previous generation

  • Sub-unit vaccines offer similar immunization benefits with better tolerability compared to other flu vaccine

types, with lesser side effects

  • New vaccine is also the first and only quadrivalent flu vaccine (0.5 ml) in India approved for use in children

under 3 years of age

  • Influenza reported cases have increased 23% per annum in Maharashtra from 643 in 2013 to 2,287 reported

cases in 2019 1 . Vaccination is the best defense against influenza

0 comment
FacebookTwitterLinkedin
TLN Team

previous post
Agitators demanding separate Vidarbha create ruckus at Manish Nagar
next post
Khadke takes Lokmat into final

You may also like

“Massage Therapy by Ashadeep is a step towards...

May 16, 2022

Retirement age limit of Public health docs reduced...

May 13, 2022

Diet counselling for children with special needs on...

May 12, 2022

Technology can make India self-reliant: Dr Sonde

May 12, 2022

Taking Care of Nutrition Needs of Kids with...

May 11, 2022

Knee replacement surgeries started under the MJPJAY scheme...

May 11, 2022

Vaccination: The Key to Preventing Influenza Infections amongst...

April 27, 2022

DCGI grants emergency use of Covaxin, Corbevax vaccine...

April 26, 2022

Wockhardt Hospital’s Personalized Cancer care bringing a revolutionary...

April 23, 2022

India logs 2,183 new cases, 214 deaths

April 18, 2022

Trending News

  • RTMNU exam in MCQ format off-line mode

    May 20, 2022
  • Umran Malik becomes youngest bowler to take 20 wickets in an IPL

    May 19, 2022
  • Mini MBA course in just one rupee, know how

    May 17, 2022
  • Know how to block spam calls on iPhone

    May 16, 2022
  • India reeling under 50°Celsius is a matter of concern

    May 16, 2022

Important Links

  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Business
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Sports

Available on Playstore & Coming Soon on Appstore

Search

February 2020
M T W T F S S
« Jan   Mar »
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
242526272829  

Sign-Up Form

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

Footer Logo
  • Nagpur City
  • Nagpur Education
  • Nagpur Sports
  • Business
  • Featured
  • Crime
  • Entertainment & Lifestyle
  • Health & Wellness
  • Nation
  • Politics
  • Trending
  • Vidarbha
  • Obituary
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Advertise with Us
  • Work with us
  • Contact Us

© 2020 - The Live Nagpur . All Rights Reserved.