GAITHERSBURG, Md. — AstraZeneca's biologics division has begun shipping doses of influenza vaccine to distributors for the 2012-2013 flu season, the company said.

The division, MedImmune, said that it expected to provide about 13 million doses of the FluMist trivalent intranasal to private healthcare practices, public health departments, school vaccination programs, military basis, retail pharmacies and others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccination against the flu for everyone ages 6 months and older, and FluMist is approved for those ages 2 to 49 years.

"MedImmune is committed to continuing its collaboration with providers and the public health community to immunize eligible preschool- and school-aged children, adolescents and adults up to age 49 against the flu as early as possible each year," MedImmune senior director of medical and scientific affairs Chris Ambrose said. "Vaccination with FluMist can help protect against the flu throughout the influenza season into late spring."

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