CSL Seqirus Showcases Real-World Evidence on Flu Shot Effectiveness at OPTIONS XII

CSL Seqirus, an arm of CSL, has unveiled substantial findings from various Real-World Evidence (RWE) studies at the OPTIONS for the Control of Influenza (OPTIONS XII) conference held in Brisbane, Australia. These studies shed light on the efficacy of cell-based and MF59® adjuvanted influenza vaccines in contrasting situations.

The research presented focused on the relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE) of cell-based vaccines against egg-based vaccines in preventing test-confirmed influenza across different age groups, including young children. Findings indicated that cell-based vaccines demonstrated a higher rVE compared to egg-based vaccines in multiple studies. For instance, a study from the 2022/23 influenza season in the U.S. showed that cell-based quadrivalent vaccines (QIVc) were more effective in preventing outpatient test-confirmed influenza in individuals aged six months to 64 years than egg-based quadrivalent vaccines (QIVe).

Another significant study covering the 2023/24 influenza season in the U.S. highlighted the real-world effectiveness of cell culture-based inactivated influenza vaccine (ccIIV4) against medically attended, laboratory-confirmed influenza. The vaccine was particularly effective among children aged six months to three years, demonstrating an 88% effectiveness compared to unvaccinated participants. For the broader age group of six months to 64 years, the adjusted vaccine effectiveness (VE) was 60%, with VE being 72% against influenza B.

A review spanning the 2017 to 2020 influenza seasons further supported these findings, revealing that QIVc had a higher relative effectiveness over egg-based trivalent vaccines (TIVe) and quadrivalent vaccines (QIVe) for both test-confirmed and clinically diagnosed influenza. This review underscored the consistent benefit of cell-based vaccines across multiple influenza seasons, affirming their robustness in preventing influenza.

The effectiveness of MF59® adjuvanted influenza vaccines was also examined. One study observed the comparability between MF59® adjuvanted quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (aQIV) and high-dose quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (HD-QIV) in preventing test-confirmed influenza among adults aged 65 and older during the 2022/23 influenza season. The rVE analysis showed no significant differences between the two vaccines in preventing influenza-related emergency department visits and inpatient admissions.

CSL Seqirus reiterated its dedication to advancing public health through continuous evaluation of influenza vaccine effectiveness using RWE. The company emphasized the importance of these studies in providing real-world data that complements randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Gregg Sylvester, Chief Health Officer at CSL Seqirus, stated that the findings from these studies underscore the company's commitment to protecting people of all ages, including very young children, against influenza and its related medical complications.

Mendel Haag, Senior Director at the Center of Outcomes Research & Epidemiology, CSL Seqirus, highlighted the value of RWE in generating insights into vaccine effectiveness. The data collected over several influenza seasons illustrated the enhanced protection offered by cell-based vaccines, particularly for vulnerable populations.

These findings presented at the OPTIONS XII conference illustrate the pivotal role of RWE in the ongoing assessment of influenza vaccines. As influenza viruses continually evolve, RWE studies provide crucial data on vaccine performance in real-world settings, enhancing our understanding and management of influenza across different demographics and geographies.

CSL Seqirus continues to lead in influenza research, backed by a robust portfolio of vaccines and a commitment to innovative vaccine technology. Their continuous efforts aim to improve global health outcomes by preventing infectious diseases through effective vaccination strategies.