EFLUELDA

First assessment.

Favourable opinion for reimbursement in the prevention of influenza in people aged 65 years and over.

What therapeutic improvement?

No clinical added value in the therapeutic strategy.

Role in the care pathway?

In France, vaccination against seasonal influenza is recommended in all people aged 65 years and over and in the following special populations (see vaccine schedule):

• pregnant women, regardless of the trimester of pregnancy;
• people, from 6 months of age, with conditions promoting the onset of serious influenza complications;
• obese people;
• people staying in follow-on care facilities and medical-social care home residents;
• families of infants under 6 months of age with serious influenza risk factors, as well as the families of immunocompromised individuals;
• professionals in regular and prolonged contact with individuals with a severe influenza risk, in particular healthcare professionals and flight crews.

According to the vaccine recommendation adopted by the HAS board on 20/05/2020 relative to the EFLUELDA vaccine, “since this vaccine induces better protection in elderly people compared to standard-dose trivalent vaccines, EFLUELDA may be used, in the same way as other influenza vaccines, in accordance with its MA, i.e., from the age of 65 years in the context of the French seasonal influenza vaccination strategy aimed at reducing serious forms and deaths. No data are available concerning other special populations, such as immunocompromised subjects or adults under the age of 65 years at risk of severe influenza and eligible for vaccination recommendations”.

Role of EFLUELDA defined by the Transparency Committee:

The Committee considers that EFLUELDA high-dose (60 µg) quadrivalent vaccine is a new method for the prevention of seasonal influenza in people aged 65 years and over, in the same way as the other standard-dose quadrivalent vaccines available.

The Committee reiterates the fact that vaccination is the most effective tool to prevent influenza and its associated complications, particularly in at-risk populations. Good vaccination coverage, including in care-givers, is essential.

In addition, protective hygiene measures (wearing surgical masks and frequent hand washing) help limit the risk of transmission and contamination, particularly in very young children and people with specific risk factors. These two measures form the cornerstone of influenza prevention.

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