cell culture-derived trivalent subunit influenza vaccine

A cell culture-derived trivalent subunit influenza vaccine is an inactivated, split-virus influenza vaccine produced using mammalian cell lines—most commonly Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells—instead of embryonated chicken eggs. The trivalent formulation contains antigens from two influenza A strains (H1N1 and H3N2) and one B strain. This approach avoids egg-adaptive mutations that can occur during traditional egg-based production, potentially improving antigenic match to circulating viruses and enhancing effectiveness. The manufacturing process involves propagating the virus in MDCK cells, harvesting viral particles, purifying them through filtration and chromatography, chemically disrupting the virus to obtain surface antigens (mainly hemagglutinin and neuraminidase), then inactivating the virus for safety. The primary indication is prevention of seasonal influenza infection[1][8][5].

Brand names

Influvac TC

Other names

cell-based seasonal vaccineOptaflu (historical brand name in EU)Flucelvax (for quadrivalent, but related technology)