FDA approves GSK four-strain flu vaccine

LONDON — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new four-strain flu vaccine made by GlaxoSmithKline, the drug maker said.

GSK announced the approval of its Fluarix Quadrivalent (influenza virus vaccine) for children and adults against seasonal influenza subtypes A and B. The company said the vaccine was the first for intramuscular injection that protects against four strains of the virus.

"Trivalent influenza vaccines have helped protect millions of people against flu, but in six of the last 11 flu seasons, the predominant circulating influenza B strain was not the strain that public health authorities selected," GSK VP and head of the company's North America vaccines clinical development and medical affairs division Leonard Friedland said. "Fluarix Quadrivalent will help protect individuals against both B strains and from a public health standpoint can help decrease the burden of disease."

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