Sinovac expands flu vaccine age range to 6 months and older

Chinese vaccine company Sinovac Biotech Ltd has announced that the age indications for its trivalent and quadrivalent influenza vaccines have been expanded to include individuals aged 6 months and older.

The National Medical Products Administration approved the age extension in late October for Sinovac's trivalent shot, Anflu, including children from 6 to 35 months. Launched in 2006, Anflu was China's first preservative-free trivalent flu vaccine.

The approval followed a similar clearance for Sinovac's quadrivalent flu vaccine in September. With both approvals in place, Sinovac's seasonal flu vaccines now offer a unified dosage form for all groups.

China's national flu vaccination guideline recommends inoculation for everyone aged 6 months and older who have no contraindications. According to the latest data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention on Nov 13, flu activity has increased across both northern and southern provinces, with peak flu season expected between mid- to late-December and early January.

Public health experts have also warned of shifting flu patterns this year. Li Tongzeng, chief physician at Beijing You'an Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University, told Economic Observer News that H3N2 is the dominant strain this season, replacing last year's H1N1, meaning the public may have lower immunity. China's trivalent and quadrivalent vaccines cover H3N2, H1N1 and the B/Victoria lineage and match circulating strains, according to Li.