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Recalls Of The Week: Popular Flu Vaccine Recalled For Reduced Efficacy

The recall affects approximately 1.7 million doses, about 7 percent of the total flu vaccine doses distributed in by Glaxo in the U.S. this year.

GlaxoSmithKline recalled a popular flu vaccine on Tuesday, because the vaccine could lose potency over time and leave vaccine recipients vulnerable. The recall affects approximately 1.7 million doses, about 7 percent of the total flu vaccine doses distributed in by Glaxo in the U.S. this year.

Glaxo sent a letter to about 1,000 customers in the U.S. informing them of the recall, even though 99 percent of the recalled vaccines were distributed last year. It’s unclear how many of the prefilled syringes are still on the market.

Flulaval Quadrivalent Thimerosal-free vaccine is a four-in-one vaccine, which means that it protects against four strains of the flu — two strains of Type A and two strains of Type B. The Associated Press reports that the company recalled the vaccines “after company testing showed its vaccine’s potency against the B strains could fall below minimum effectiveness standards.” The reduced efficacy of the drug is the only reason for the recall; there are no identified safety concerns associated with the recalled vaccine.

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