2 new influenza strains recommended for next season
REPORTING FROM AN FDA ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
“Yes, in fact, it does cover them very well. The majority of the viruses that we’ve tested at the CDC were that emerging 3C2a2 [clade of H3N2] group, and the Singapore virus covered those very well. In general, that’s why we went with Singapore,” she said.
Dr. Katz added that one of the reasons Singapore is so effective is because of its position in the lineage of these flu strains. “It’s at the base of the [phylogenetic] tree; it’s not on the tip of the tree where things are changing, so it’s a more conservative selection.”
The CDC estimate of current vaccine effectiveness (VE) against influenza A (H3N2) viruses is 25%, as of Feb. 3. Effectiveness is even higher for all influenza viruses, with an estimated VE of 36%, indicating that the flu vaccine reduced a person’s risk of having to seek medical care at a doctor’s office for flu illness by 36% (MMWR. 2018;67:180-5).
While the FDA usually follows the recommendations of its panel members, it is not obligated to do so. None of the committee members disclosed relevant financial conflicts of interest.
