Understanding the Implications of Delaying Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Recommendations: An Industry Perspective

Multiple studies have assessed the potential for improvement for genetic and antigenic match of influenza vaccines to circulating viruses by altering the timing of vaccine strain decisions. The advent of new technologies for vaccination has generated global discussion around moving the seasonal influenza strain recommendations closer to the start of the vaccination period. The window between influenza vaccine strain recommendations and the availability of vaccine supply for immunization comprises sequential processes required to produce vaccine components, reagents for manufacture and release, and regulatory approvals. This commentary examines one company's perspective on requirements for enabling manufacture and release of seasonal influenza vaccine in more detail, describes preparations to reduce risk, and highlights the potential impact on vaccine supply for all platforms (egg, cell, mRNA) when strain decisions are issued closer to the desired vaccination timing.