influenza inactivated split virus strain A (H3N2)

This is an inactivated, split-virion vaccine component derived from the Influenza A virus subtype H3N2. Developed by GSK, it serves as a critical antigenic constituent in seasonal influenza vaccines such as Fluarix and FluLaval. The production process involves cultivating the virus in embryonated chicken eggs, followed by inactivation with formaldehyde and disruption of the viral envelope using detergents like sodium deoxycholate to create a split virus preparation. This modality primarily targets the viral hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) proteins. Upon administration, it induces a humoral immune response characterized by the production of strain-specific neutralizing antibodies, which provide protection against infection and reduce the severity of disease caused by circulating H3N2 influenza viruses. The specific H3N2 strain used is updated annually in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for the seasonal influenza vaccine formulation.

Other names

H3N2 influenza vaccine componentH-3N2 influenza vaccine componentH 3N2 influenza vaccine componentinactivated split-virion H3N2 antigeninfluenza vaccine (split virion, inactivated, H3N2)