DeLauro, Esty Urge CDC to Purchase Flu Vaccine from Protein Sciences

NEW HAVEN, CT—Connecticut Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Elizabeth Esty today urged the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to consider purchasing 250,000 of the Flublok vaccine from Meriden’s Protein Sciences Corporation. Protein Sciences specializes in vaccine development and has also been working on an Ebola vaccine.

“In light of the CDC’s recent warning that flu vaccines might be ineffective this season given that the newest strain, H3N2, was not included, we are asking the CDC to consider purchasing the 250,000 doses offered by Protein Sciences through their response to Solicitation # 2014-N-16818,” the representatives wrote. “Protein Sciences maintains that because Flublok ‘contains 3x more antigen than traditional trivalent flu vaccines and induces a stronger antibody response against the influenza A viruses’ it is expected that Flublok would be more effective with the H3N2 virus as it is an influenza A virus.”

The letter to CDC Director Tom Frieden can be read in its entirety here.

“We have worked with Protein Sciences Corporation on a variety of issues and have always been impressed with the dedication and resolve that the company and its leadership have demonstrated in their innovative approach to vaccine development,” the representatives continued. “Protein Sciences is at the forefront of technological advancements in their field. Flublok is the only the only flu vaccine made in America by an American company and only flu vaccine recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for people who have known or suspected egg allergies, regardless of severity.”

DeLauro is the senior Democrat on the subcommittee responsible for funding the Department of Health and Human Services, including the CDC. Esty is the Representative for Connecticut's 5th District, which includes Meriden where Protein Sciences in headquartered.


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