A review of the value of quadrivalent influenza vaccines and their potential contribution to influenza control

ABSTRACT

The contribution of influenza B to the seasonal influenza burden varies from year-to-year. Although 2 antigenically distinct influenza B virus lineages have co-circulated since 2001, trivalent influenza vaccines (TIVs) contain antigens from only one influenza B virus. B-mismatch or co-circulation of both B lineages results in increased morbidity and mortality attributable to the B lineage absent from the vaccine. Quadrivalent vaccines (QIVs) contain both influenza B lineages. We reviewed currently licensed QIVs and their value by focusing on the preventable disease burden. Modeling studies support that QIVs are expected to prevent more influenza cases, hospitalisations and deaths than TIVs, although estimates of the case numbers prevented vary according to local specificities. The value of QIVs is demonstrated by their capacity to broaden the immune response and reduce the likelihood of a B-mismatched season. Some health authorities have preferentially recommended QIVs over TIVs in their influenza prevention programmes.

KEYWORDS:

• influenza
• influenza B
• mismatch
• quadrivalent influenza vaccine

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

Riju Ray, Rafik Bekkat-Berkani, Philip O. Buck, Carine Claeys and Gonçalo Matias are employees of the GSK group of companies. Bruce L. Innis reports he was employed by the GSK group of companies at the time of the study and is now an employee of PATH. Riju Ray, Rafik Bekkat-Berkani, Philip O. Buck, Carine Claeys and Bruce L. Innis report ownership of stock options and/or restricted shares in the GSK group of companies. Gaël Dos Santosreports he was employed by Business & Decision Life Sciences (on behalf of GSK) at the time of the study and is now employee of the GSK group of companies.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Philippe Buchy for critically reviewing the manuscript. The authors also thank Joanne Wolter (Independent medical writer, on behalf of GSK) for providing writing services, and Bruno Dumont and Veronique Gochet (Business and Decision Life Sciences, on behalf of GSK) for editorial assistance and manuscript coordination.

Funding

GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA took in charge all costs associated with the development and publication of the present manuscript.

Authors' contributions

All authors participated in assembling and interpreting the data. All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.