This year is the first time Flucelvax will be available in the US. Flucelvax was the first FDA-approved

influenza vaccine developed using cell-culture technology, a production method that differs from the

traditional egg-based process by Norvartis.  It is good for those 18 years of age or older.  It’s only a trivalent though, we are still using it for our egg free.

 

Thank you,

Sue Davis MS, BSN, RN, CVRN – BC, NE-BC
Service Leader, Learning Center & Employee Health
Methodist Health System
8601 West Dodge Road, Suite 18, Omaha, NE 68114
Phone:  (402) 354-5694
Learning Center Fax: (402) 354-5466
Employee Health Fax: (402) 354-8819
sue.davis@nmhs.org 

 

From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces+sue.davis=nmhs.org@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Abhijay Karandikar via MCOH-EH
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2014 1:31 PM
To: MCOH/EH
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] "Egg free" flu vaccines

 

List,

 

Taking a slight hiatus from Ebola to the flu:

 

We have had quite a few employees 50 yrs and older who have stated that they will take the flu shot if it is egg free (for various reasons, predominantly h/o allergy). Of the "egg free" vaccines, Flublok is approved for individuals 18-49 years, although my research has shown that it has been trialed in the 50+ age group. Flucelvax's  original reference strains are obtained from the WHO Collaborating Center grown in eggs and technically cannot be considered completely "egg free".

 

Is anyone using the egg free vaccines to increase vaccination rates in the elderly and if so, which ones and why? If not, why not?

 

Abhijay

 

Abhijay P. Karandikar, MD, MPH, MRO

Medical Director - Occupational Medicine

Company MD - Pines Health Services


This message and any included attachments are from Nebraska Methodist Health System and its affiliates and are intended only for the addressee. The message may contain privileged, confidential and/or proprietary information intended only for the person(s) named. Unauthorized forwarding, printing, copying, distribution, or use of such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you are not the addressee, please promptly delete this message and notify the sender of the delivery error by e-mail or you may call Nebraska Methodist Health System and its affiliates in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.A at (402)354-2280.