Vepacel

Vepacel is an inactivated, whole-virion influenza vaccine produced in Vero cell cultures, specifically developed for the prevention of influenza caused by the H5N1 subtype. Unlike traditional egg-based vaccines, Vepacel utilizes cell-culture technology, which allows for rapid production scaling and avoids issues for individuals with egg allergies. The vaccine contains inactivated whole virus particles (typically of the A/Vietnam/1203/2004 or A/Indonesia/05/2005 strains) that preserve the native antigenic structure of the virus, including the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins. It is designed to elicit a broad immune response, including both neutralizing antibodies and cellular immunity, to provide protection against pandemic H5N1 strains. It was granted marketing authorization in the European Union in 2012 for use in adults.

Brand names

Vepacel

Other names

Vero cell-derived whole virus H5N1 influenza vaccinePre-pandemic influenza vaccine (H5N1)H5N1 influenza vaccine (whole virion, inactivated, Vero cell derived)