CSL Seqirus welcomes the recent recommendations from the Comité sur l’immunisation du Québec (Quebec Immunization Committee, or CIQ) for adults aged 65 or older to receive the adjuvanted influenza vaccine, FLUAD®, among the preferential enhanced vaccines, over standard-dose vaccines1. This recommendation follows the December 2023 recommendation from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) which had similar conclusions 2. These recommendations, based on robust data, demonstrate the effectiveness of these vaccines in helping reduce influenza-related complications, and highlight the importance of providing enhanced protection for this vulnerable population.
The CIQ concludes that the adjuvanted vaccine FLUAD® was shown to be more effective compared to standard-dose vaccines. This recommendation informs decision-making for public health program 1.
Building upon NACI’s 2023 recommendation, CIQ’s recent statement aligns with an emerging consensus among international recommending bodies around the effectiveness of the adjuvanted vaccine FLUAD® for adults 65 years of age and older. This includes the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)’s 2022 recommendation that adults 65 years of age and older should preferentially receive an adjuvanted influenza vaccine as one the vaccine options 3. Other national and supranational organizations, such as the European Union’s European Medicines Agency (EMA) 4, the United Kingdom’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) 5 and Australia’s Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) 6, have recognized the effectiveness of all enhanced influenza vaccines, including the adjuvant influenza vaccine.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza caused an average of 12,200 hospitalizations and approximately 3,500 deaths each year in Canada, with the majority occurring in adults 65 years of age and older 7. Canadians 65 years of age and older accounted for 71% of the reported influenza-associated deaths during the 2023/24 flu season 8. Older adults are at an even greater risk due to immunosenescence - the age-associated decline of the immune system and may result in a reduced immune response to antigens in the vaccine 9.
“The 2023/24 influenza season was yet another difficult season for Quebecers, and proved the fragility experienced by our healthcare system, seeing an especially high mortality rate,” said Bertrand Roy, Ph.D., Country Head Medical Affairs Canada at CSL Seqirus. “CIQ’s alignment with NACI and its recommendation could be instrumental in helping reduce the burden of influenza on Quebec's healthcare system, and we anticipate multiple provinces will be offering FLUAD® free of charge this year to seniors aged 65 and older. As such, we are looking forward to continuing to collaborate with the Québec government and the Ministry of Health and Social Services towards our shared goal of protecting Quebecers against seasonal influenza.”
The CIQ is a standing expert committee reporting directly to the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (National Public Health Institute of Québec or INSPQ). It contributes to maintaining the quality of the Programme québécois d’immunisation (Quebec Immunization Program) by producing recommendations and opinions addressed to the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (Health and Social Services Ministry or MSSS) of Quebec on the optimal use of vaccines. As part of its work, the Committee advises the MSSS on the achievement of objectives, implementation of strategies, use of products and application of practice standards, including the Protocole d’immunisation du Québec (Quebec Immunization Protocol or PIQ).
About CSL Seqirus
CSL Seqirus is part of CSL (ASX:CSL). As one of the largest influenza vaccine providers in the world, CSL Seqirus is a major contributor to the prevention of influenza globally and a transcontinental partner in pandemic preparedness. With state-of-the-art production facilities in the U.S., the U.K. and Australia, and leading R&D capabilities, CSL Seqirus utilizes egg, cell and adjuvant technologies to offer a broad portfolio of differentiated influenza vaccines in more than 20 countries around the world.
For more information about CSL Seqirus, visit CSL.com.
About CSL
CSL (ASX:CSL; USOTC:CSLLY) is a global biotechnology company with a dynamic portfolio of medicines, including those that treat hemophilia and immune deficiencies, vaccines to prevent influenza, and therapies in iron deficiency and nephrology. Since our start in 1916, we have been driven by our promise to save lives using the latest technologies. Today, CSL – including our three businesses: CSL Behring, CSL Seqirus and CSL Vifor – provides lifesaving products to patients in more than 100 countries and employs 32,000 people. Our unique combination of commercial strength, R&D focus and operational excellence enables us to identify, develop and deliver innovations so our patients can live life to the fullest. For inspiring stories about the promise of biotechnology, visit CSL.com/we-are-csl/vita-original-stories and follow us on x.com/CSL.
For more information about CSL, visit CSL.com.
CSL SEQIRUS, FLUAD® and MF59® are trademarks of CSL Seqirus.
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This press release is issued from CSL Seqirus in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and is intended to provide information about our global business. Please be aware that information relating to the approval status and labels of approved CSL Seqirus products may vary from country to country. Please consult your local regulatory authority on the approval status of CSL Seqirus products.
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Media Contact
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1 Institut national de santé publique du Québec. Avis complémentaire sur le choix des vaccins influenza pour l’immunisation des personnes âgées et vulnérables durant la saison 2024-2025 au Québec. Retrieved from: https://www.inspq.qc.ca/sites/default/files/publications/3509-Avis-choix-vaccins-influenza-immunisation-%20personn.pdf. Accessed July 2024.
2 National Advisory Committee on Immunization. An Advisory Committee Statement (ACS) National Advisory Committee on Immunization NACI). Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2024-2025.
3 CDC. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). General Committee Information. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/committee/index.html. Accessed July 2024.
4 European Medicines Agency. Fluad Tetra (influenza vaccine (surface antigen,inactivated, adjuvanted)) An overview of Fluad Tetra and why it is authorised in the EU. Retrieved from: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/overview/fluad-tetra-epar-medicine-overview_en.pdf. Accessed July 2024.
5 Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Advice on influenza vaccines for 2023/24. Retrieved from: https://www.nitag-resource.org/sites/default/files/2022-11/Draft%20JCVI%20Statement%20on%20Influenza%20Vaccines%202023-24_final%20version.pdf. Accessed July 2024.
6 Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. ATAGI recommendation for influenza vaccine in adults aged 65 years or older. Retrieved from: https://ncirs.org.au/sites/default/files/2020-12/Adjuvanted%20influenza%20vaccine%20vs%20standard%20dose%20influenza%20vaccine%20GRADE%20recommendation_final.pdf. Accessed July 2024.
7 Government of Canada. Canadian Immunization Guide Chapter on Influenza and Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2020–2021. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/vaccines-immunization/canadian-immunization- guide-statement-seasonal-influenza-vaccine-2020-2021.html. Accessed July 2024.
8 Government of Canada. Fluwatch report: May 26 to June 22, 2024 (weeks 22-25). Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/fluwatch/2023-2024/may-26-june-22-2024-weeks-22-25.html. Accessed July 2024.
9 Frey SE, Aplasca-De Los Reyes MR, Reynales H, et al. (2014). Comparison of the safety and immunogenicity of an MF59®-adjuvanted with a non-adjuvanted seasonal influenza vaccine in elderly subjects. Vaccine. 2014;32:5027-5034.
FLUAD® Adjuvanted Flu Vaccines for Quebec Seniors Aged 65 and Older: CSL Seqirus Welcomes the Comité sur l’Immunisation du Québec (CIQ)’s Recommendation
FLUAD® Influenza vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated, adjuvanted with MF59®) is now preferentially recommended by the Comité sur l’immunisation du Québec (Quebec Immunization Committee, or CIQ) for adults 65 years of age and older.