The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has expressed a positive opinion on the approval of two vaccines to prevent infection with the A/H5N1 influenza virus, responsible for avian influenza. We are now awaiting final approval from the European Commission.
The first of the two vaccines (called Celldemic) is indicated for adults and children over six months old and can be used in case of influenza outbreaks originating from animals and in cases where health authorities fear an imminent pandemic.
The second vaccine (Incellipan), for which the CHMP recommends conditional authorization, is to be used only once the health authorities have declared a pandemic. “In the event of a pandemic, once the viral strain causing it has been identified, the manufacturer can include this strain in the pandemic vaccine,” writes the EMA. Both vaccines are produced by the pharmaceutical company Seqirus.
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