Influenza vaccines are used to immunise people against an influenza virus that is in circulation among the population. They are one of the most effective means for preventing people from becoming infected and, thus, for controlling the spread of the disease.
In a pandemic situation, it is important to make suitable vaccines available quickly and in large quantities. However, as with all medicines, vaccines still need to be assessed before they can be authorised for use, to ensure that their benefits outweigh any risks associated with their use.
In the European Union, procedures have been put in place to speed up the assessment and authorisation of vaccines that may prove vital in a pandemic situation.
Three vaccines that have benefited from these procedures, and which will thus be available for use in the current H1N1 influenza pandemic, are:
- Focetria, which was recommended on 24 September 2009 by the European Medicines Agency for an EU-wide marketing authorisation.
- Pandemrix, which was recommended on 24 September 2009 by the European Medicines Agency for an EU-wide marketing authorisation.
- Celvapan, which was recommended on 1 October 2009 by the European Medicines Agency for an EU-wide marketing authorisation.
Further information on the scientific considerations regarding the licensing of pandemic A(H1N1)v vaccines is available in an Explanatory Note.
One other vaccine, Daronrix, has been authorised as a 'mock up' vaccine for potential use during an influenza pandemic, but has not yet been approved for use in the current H1N1 pandemic.
For further information on how pandemic influenza vaccines are assessed, approved for use and monitored in the EU, see Authorisation procedures.
