Merck accepting orders for seasonal flu vaccine from healthcare providers

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. Merck is allowing healthcare providers to pre-order the flu vaccine Afluria (influenza virus vaccine) for the 2010-2011 flu season, the drug maker said Thursday.

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the vaccine for use in children ages 6 months and older, making Afluria available for both children and adults and one of two vaccines available for children that young.

“Every preparation for the flu season is important to healthcare providers, and we are initiating pre-book orders for Afluria so our customers can have access to the tools they need to get ready now,” Merck Vaccines SVP and general manager for adolescent and adult vaccines Soren Bo Christiansen said in a statement. “Afluria is an important part of our broad range of vaccine products, and we want to do what we can to help our customers meet their seasonal flu needs in the U.S.”