The role of MDCK-based influenza vaccine Influvac®TC in (inter)pandemics

Abstract

We previously reported on the use of MDCK cells as a suitable substrate for the propagation of influenza viruses. This has led to the development of Influvac®TC, a cell culture-based subunit influenza vaccine with equivalent safety and efficacy to existing egg-based subunit vaccines, granted the first marketing authorisation for a cell culture-based influenza vaccine worldwide. Influvac®TC appears to be an economically feasible alternative as well and, therefore, Solvay is currently constructing a facility from which Influvac®TC is scheduled to be launched in 2005. This means that from 2005 onwards, cell culture can be added to the available technologies to fight influenza and, indeed, will have an added value in (inter)pandemic control. The added value is visualized by assessing the gap between current and recommended vaccine use, which shows that cell culture-based influenza vaccine production is highly preferred over conventional production technologies to narrow the gap between what is currently achieved to fight the burden of influenza and what we would like to achieve from a public health perspective.