China's first influenza vaccine in response to the possible outbreak of flu this autumn and winter was approved on July 14, the first of its kind to obtain certificates in 2020.
The vaccine, developed by the Shanghai Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd of China National Biotec Group Company Limited (CNBG), a subsidiary of China National Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. (Sinopharm), is expected to play an active role in influenza prevention.
Zeng Guang, chief epidemiologist with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said on July 12 that initial analysis shows that the viral pandemic will maintain a high level of prevalence in the near future, particularly during the coming winter.
Autumn and winter are high-incidence seasons of influenza. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are about 3 to 5 million serious cases and 290,000 to 650,000 deaths each year.
Several experts also mentioned the importance of improving the rate of influenza vaccination to improve prevention and control.
The Shanghai Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd initiated influenza vaccine production as soon as it obtained the new strain released by WHO this year.
To guarantee early and sound preparation for the possible coming influenza outbreak, the company sped up purchasing, production, quality assessment and quality control.
Influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by a RNA virus and is seriously harmful to humans. It is spread through droplets in the air as well as physical contact. People might also get it if they touch a place where the droplets have landed.
There are three main types of influenza viruses: A, B and C. The influenza A virus often appears in an antigenic variation with strong infectivity and fast transmissibility, and is considered the most common type of flu that afflicts people over a wide area.
For example, the H1N1 swine flu virus is a kind of influenza A. Although the disease is self-limited, it can still easily cause serious complications and even death of infants, seniors and those with heart and lung ailments.
Annual vaccination is the most effective method to prevent influenza and can greatly lower risks of experiencing its serious complications.
China's first influenza vaccine in response to the possible outbreak of swine flu this autumn and winter season is produced by Shanghai Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd and obtained approval on July 14. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)
