Sanofi Pasteur starts shipping 2014 flu vaccine

SWIFTWATER, Pa. — The first batch of vaccines for the upcoming flu season is on its way to pharmacies, hospitals and doctors offices. Some 65 million doses Sanofi Pasteur’s Fluzone vaccines were approved for release earlier this week by the Food and Drug Administration.

“The flu impacts people in the U.S. every year, and the single best way to help prevent getting or spreading the influenza virus is timely vaccination,” said Sanofi Pasteur’s U.S. Chief Medical Officer and VP, scientific and medical affairs, David Greenberg. “Sanofi Pasteur is committed to helping people fight the flu by offering a broad range of flu vaccine options to meet the needs of patients across multiple age groups."

Though flu season isn’t typically in fever pitch until around February, the delivery schedule for vaccines continues through October for Sanofi Pasteur’s four Fluzone vaccines, the company said.

Beyond the traditional Fluzone, which is approved for children more than six months old, the company manufactured a vaccine that protects against four flu strains, as well as a high-dose vaccine for patients over 65 and an intradermal vaccine. The four-strain vaccine was first used last year, and the high-dose Fluzone is meant to strengthen immune systems more susceptible to catching the flu.

Sanofi Pasteur is still taking orders at VaccineShop.com from health providers.