VEPACEL is a pre-pandemic influenza vaccine indicated for active immunization in adults 18 years and older against the H5N1 subtype of influenza A, commonly known as bird or avian flu.
VEPACEL is manufactured using Baxter’s proprietary advanced Vero cell technology.
VEPACEL is composed of purified, inactivated whole influenza virion, licensed as a suspension for injection containing 7.5µg haemagglutinin (HA) antigen per 0.5ml dose.
Baxter BioScience business global research and development vice president Hartmut Ehrlich said VEPACEL offers cross-protection against a broad range of H5N1 strains.
"It also results in a sustained immunological memory response, meaning that those who receive a ‘booster’ with a different pandemic strain vaccine will gain a rapid protective response to the pandemic virus," Ehrlich added.