FDA APPROVES FOUR COMPANIES' FLU VACCINES FOR UPCOMING SEASON

The FDA has approved multiple influenza vaccines aimed to counter the upcoming flu season in the Northern Hemisphere.

The four manufacturers approved to market their vaccines in the United States are Chiron Vaccines, GlaxoSmithKline, MedImmune Vaccines and sanofi pasteur, the agency said.

The FDA stated that its approved formulation for the U.S. vaccine was identical to that recommended by both the World Health Organization and FDA's advisory committee. This formulation includes two new strains and one strain used last year.

The approved manufacturers anticipate the production of nearly 100 million doses of influenza vaccine for the 2006-2007 season.