As a medical professional responsible for vaccine procurement, selecting the right influenza vaccine is crucial for patient care and operational efficiency. CSL Seqirus offers three primary influenza vaccines—AFLURIA®, FLUAD®, and FLUCELVAX®—each tailored to meet specific patient needs. This guide provides an in-depth comparison of these vaccines, highlighting their unique features to assist in making informed purchasing decisions.

Vaccine Overview

AFLURIA® (Influenza Vaccine)

• Type: Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (IIV3)
• Age Approval: For individuals aged 6 months and older for multidose vials or 36 months for prefilled syringes.
• Production Method: Egg-based split-virus technique
• Adjuvant: None
• Administration: Intramuscular (IM) injection or needle-free injector (PharmaJet Stratis®)
• Availability: Prefilled syringes

FLUAD® (Influenza Vaccine, Adjuvanted)

• Type: Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (aIIV3)
• Age Approval: Specifically for adults aged 65 years and older
• Production Method: Egg-based with MF59® adjuvant
• Adjuvant: MF59® (non-aluminum oil-in-water emulsion)
• Administration: Intramuscular (IM) injection
• Availability: Prefilled syringes

FLUCELVAX® (Influenza Vaccine)

• Type: Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (ccIIV3)
• Age Approval: For individuals aged 6 months and older
• Production Method: Cell-based (MDCK cells)
• Adjuvant: None
• Administration: Intramuscular (IM) injection
• Availability: Prefilled syringes

Production Methods and Implications

• AFLURIA®: Manufactured using a traditional egg-based process, which may be a consideration for patients with egg allergies.
• FLUAD®: Produced via egg-based methods but includes the MF59® adjuvant to enhance immune response, particularly beneficial for older adults.
• FLUCELVAX®: Utilizes a cell-based production method, eliminating the need for eggs and making it suitable for individuals with egg allergies.

Age Recommendations and Indications

• AFLURIA®: Approved for use in individuals aged 6 months and older, providing broad coverage across age groups.
• FLUAD®: Specifically indicated for adults aged 65 years and older, addressing the unique immune response needs of this population.
• FLUCELVAX®: Approved for individuals aged 6 months and older, offering an alternative for those with egg allergies.

Adjuvant Use and Immune Response

• AFLURIA®: Does not contain an adjuvant, relying on the standard immune response elicited by the inactivated virus.
• FLUAD®: Contains the MF59® adjuvant, which enhances the immune response, particularly important for older adults.
• FLUCELVAX®: Lacks an adjuvant but utilizes a cell-based production method to stimulate immunity.

Summary Comparison

Feature	AFLURIA®	FLUAD®	FLUCELVAX®
Vaccine Type	IIV3 (egg-based)	aIIV3 (egg-based + adjuvant)	ccIIV3 (cell-based)
Adjuvant	No	Yes (MF59®)	No
Age Approval	6 months & older	65 years & older	6 months & older
Egg-Free	No	No	Yes
Administration	IM or needle-free	IM	IM

Cost Considerations for Medical Practices

Influenza vaccines represent a significant portion of a medical practice’s vaccine expenditures. Choosing the right vaccine not only impacts patient care but also the financial health of the practice. For instance, FLUAD®’s inclusion of the MF59® adjuvant may offer enhanced protection for older adults, potentially reducing the incidence of flu-related complications and hospitalizations in this demographic. However, the cost per dose may be higher compared to non-adjuvanted vaccines.

Conversely, FLUCELVAX®’s cell-based production method offers an egg-free alternative, which can be crucial for patients with egg allergies. While the cost per dose may vary, the ability to cater to this specific patient need can enhance patient satisfaction and trust in the practice.

AFLURIA®, being a standard inactivated vaccine without an adjuvant, may be more cost-effective but could be less effective in certain populations, such as older adults or those with compromised immune systems.

Maximizing Savings through US Physicians’ Purchasing Group (USPPG)

As a medical practice, joining a physician buying group like USPPG can lead to significant cost savings on vaccines and other medical supplies. USPPG leverages the collective purchasing power of thousands of practices nationwide to negotiate exclusive discounted pricing with vaccine manufacturers.

Why Use a Physician Purchasing Group Like USPPG?

For medical practices and pharmacies, vaccines are one of the largest ongoing expenses. Costs can vary widely depending on the manufacturer, formulation, and ordering volume. Many smaller practices lack the leverage to negotiate optimal pricing directly with manufacturers. This is where a physician purchasing group, such as US Physicians’ Purchasing Group (USPPG), provides a significant advantage.

How USPPG Works

USPPG aggregates the purchasing needs of thousands of member practices nationwide. By combining orders, USPPG increases negotiating power with vaccine manufacturers and distributors. This collective approach allows members to access discounted pricing, rebates, and exclusive offers that would be unavailable to individual practices.

Key Benefits of USPPG Membership

• Cost Savings: Practices gain access to significantly reduced vaccine prices. These savings can be substantial when purchasing high-cost vaccines like FLUAD®, AFLURIA®, and FLUCELVAX®.
• Free Membership: Enrollment in USPPG carries no cost, ensuring that practices can immediately benefit from discounted pricing without upfront fees.
• Streamlined Ordering: USPPG partners with top distributors, making it easier for practices to place bulk orders, manage inventory, and maintain vaccine stock levels efficiently.
• Volume Rebates: Members may qualify for additional rebates based on cumulative purchasing volume, further enhancing cost savings over the year.
• Negotiated Offers: USPPG secures exclusive promotions, seasonal discounts, and bundled offers that individual practices could not obtain on their own.
• Operational Efficiency: By simplifying the ordering and procurement process, USPPG allows office staff to focus more on patient care rather than price comparisons and vendor negotiations.
• Educational Support: Members gain access to webinars, guides, and expert advice on vaccine management, helping optimize immunization strategies and compliance with CDC recommendations.
• Access to High-Demand Vaccines: USPPG ensures practices can obtain popular vaccines in a timely manner, avoiding shortages that often affect smaller practices.

Impact on Your Practice

By joining USPPG, your practice benefits financially while improving operational efficiency. Reduced vaccine costs mean more resources are available for other critical areas, such as patient care, staffing, or new services. Additionally, having reliable access to vaccines ensures your practice can meet patient demand during flu season without disruption.

For practices that purchase multiple vaccine types—including CSL Seqirus products like AFLURIA®, FLUAD®, and FLUCELVAX®—USPPG membership provides both savings and peace of mind. The collective purchasing model allows even smaller practices to compete with large healthcare organizations in obtaining the best pricing and supply stability.

Ultimately, using a physician purchasing group like USPPG empowers your practice to:

• Reduce overall vaccine costs and maximize budget efficiency.
• Access hard-to-get vaccines and specialized formulations.
• Ensure compliance with immunization guidelines without overspending.
• Streamline operations and reduce administrative burden.
• Focus more on patient care while leaving procurement to an experienced group.

In summary, partnering with USPPG transforms vaccine procurement from a costly, time-consuming process into a streamlined, cost-effective strategy. It’s an essential tool for medical practices looking to improve both financial performance and patient care outcomes.

Conclusion

Selecting the appropriate influenza vaccine is a multifaceted decision that involves considering patient demographics, vaccine composition, and cost implications. CSL Seqirus offers a range of vaccines tailored to meet diverse patient needs, from standard inactivated vaccines to those with adjuvants or cell-based production methods.

By understanding the unique features of AFLURIA®, FLUAD®, and FLUCELVAX®, medical practices can make informed decisions that align with their patient population and financial objectives. Additionally, partnering with a physician buying group like USPPG can further enhance cost savings and operational efficiency, ensuring that your practice remains both financially viable and committed to providing high-quality patient care.

For more information on CSL Seqirus influenza vaccines and to explore membership with USPPG, visit US Physicians’ Purchasing Group.