MF59™-adjuvanted subunit influenza vaccine: an improved interpandemic influenza vaccine for vulnerable populations

Abstract

Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in vulnerable populations, especially the elderly. Influenza viruses are unique in that they undergo small mutations and antigenic variation in their hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes. Owing to the senescence of the immune system, the ability to mount novel immune responses may be particularly compromised in older people. Fluad^® (Novartis Vaccines), an MF59™-adjuvanted subunit influenza vaccine, was formulated in order to achieve greater immunogenicity in those groups who need a higher protection than that brought about by conventional vaccines. This article summarizes the main characteristics of MF59-adjuvanted subunit influenza vaccine, the clinical effectiveness data that have been generated in recent years and future developments.

Keywords::

• adjuvant
• influenza vaccine
• MF59™ oil emulsion
• squalene
• vaccine

Financial & competing interests disclosure

JPB has received honoraria or grants for participating in advisory boards, giving conferences, and attending scientific meetings from Novartis, GSK, Sanofi-Pastreur-MSD and ESTEVE. DVV is and employee of ESTEVE, a Spanish pharma company involved in the introduction of the MF59-adjuvanted influenza vaccine in Spain. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.