Overview of the main types of licensed influenza vaccines

Still today, 90% of influenza vaccine doses produced annually are egg-based.  They are cheap and have a well-documented excellent safety profile. However, in case of an influenza pandemic with a “bird-flu-strain”, there may be no eggs (if hens die from avian flu) or (fertilized) hen´s eggs may come “too little, too late” for protection of the largest part of the global population.   Recent innovations in influenza vaccine technologies address the limitations of traditional egg-based inactivated vaccines, particularly egg-adaptive mutations that compromise antigenic match and effectiveness. Recent innovations in influenza vaccine technologies address the limitations of traditional egg-based inactivated vaccines, particularly egg-adaptive mutations that compromise antigenic match and effectiveness. Cell-based vaccines, using mammalian cell cultures, now demonstrate up to 20% greater effectiveness, especially in children and adults under 65. Recombinant vaccines enable rapid, egg-free production and strong immunogenicity, benefitting pandemic preparedness. High-dose and adjuvanted formulations enhance protection for older adults. Quadrivalent...