Sanofi has advised that the Recombinant Quadrivalent Influenza vaccine [QIVr] will, due to a supply issue, not be available for the flu vaccination programme for the 2024/25 season.
The original JCVI recommendation was to use QIVr for adults aged 65 years and over, and also adults aged 16 to 64 who are in eligible groups.
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In the light of this change, NHS England has advised the following:
The cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIVc) can also be considered only when every attempt to use aQIV or QIV-HD has been exhausted – evidence of this may be requested by the commissioner before reimbursement is agreed.
Aged 18 to 59 years
Aged 60 to 64 years:
The egg-grown quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIVe) can also be considered only when every attempt to use QIVc, or in the case of those aged 60 -64 years also QIV-HD, has been exhausted – evidence of this may be requested by the commissioner before reimbursement is agreed.
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As QIVr is only licensed for those aged 18 and over, this does not affect the immunisation programme for younger patients. For practices who have ordered QIVr, and who are participating in the 2024/25 immunisation programme, the primary alternative is QIV-HD [high dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine] which is licensed in the UK for those 60 and over.
Otherwise, practices may seek to order additional supplies of aQIV [Adjuvanted Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine] for those aged 65 and over, and QIVc [Cell-based Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine] for those under 65 years.
NHSE has updated the list of influenza vaccines marketed in the UK.
