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AstraZeneca set to lose out on $80 million after US turns down flu vaccine

pharmafile | June 23, 2016 | News story | Sales and Marketing |ย ย AstraZeneca, CDC, flu, flu vaccineย 

AstraZeneca has confirmed that its influenza vaccine, FluMist Quadrivalent, will not be used in the US during the 2016-17 flu season after a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) committee stated that the vaccine should not be used in any setting.

This decision from the Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices will see AstraZeneca write down approximately $80 million. US product sales of the vaccine for the financial year 2015 amounted to $206 million. The company does indicate that this write down does not affect its financial guidance for 2016.

The CDCโ€™s decision not to recommend the use of FluMist Quadrivalent in any setting comes after data on the vaccine suggested a 46-58% effectiveness rate overall in circulating influenza strains during the 2015-16 season.

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CDC guidelines states that vaccines are typically 50-60% effective when there is a good match between the strains in the vaccine and those that circulate during the influenza season.

However, AstraZeneca indicates that โ€œthe distribution and use of the vaccine in other countries are progressing as planned for the forthcoming influenza season pending the annual release process from relevant regulatory authorities.โ€

Sean Murray

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