Which 2025 flu vaccines are available as single-dose prefilled syringes?
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Executive summary
For the 2025–26 U.S. season, most manufacturers are supplying single‑dose, thimerosal‑free prefilled syringes — specifically GSK’s Fluarix and Flulaval, Seqirus’s Afluria and Fluad, and CSL Seqirus’s Flucelvax are documented in single‑dose prefilled syringe presentations [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and CDC have recommended single‑dose, thimerosal‑free formulations for essentially all recipients (children, pregnant people, adults) for 2025–26 [6] [7].
1. What regulators and experts required this season — single‑dose, thimerosal‑free only
ACIP made an explicit, new recommendation in 2025 that children ≤18, pregnant women, and all adults should receive only single‑dose seasonal influenza vaccines that do not contain thimerosal; CDC reiterates that recommendation and notes single‑dose, thimerosal‑free formulations have historically made up the majority of supply [6] [7]. State and program guidance echoes ACIP’s direction and flags that some multidose vials with thimerosal might still exist but are not recommended [8] [9].
2. Which vaccines are clearly documented as single‑dose prefilled syringes
Manufacturer sources and reporting list multiple products supplied as 0.5‑mL single‑dose prefilled syringes: GSK’s FLUARIX and FLULAVAL are offered in 0.5‑mL single‑dose prefilled syringes (packages of 10) [1] [2]. Seqirus’s AFLURIA is offered in packages of ten 0.5‑mL single‑dose prefilled syringes and also in a multi‑dose vial [3]. Seqirus’s FLUAD is supplied as a 0.5‑mL prefilled syringe for adults ≥65 and is indicated as single‑dose and preservative‑free [4]. CSL Seqirus/Flucelvax prefilled 0.5‑mL syringes are described as preservative‑free in FDA/labeling documents [5].
3. Reporting from trade press and public health sites confirms availability
CIDRAP reported that GSK began shipping Flulaval and Fluarix as 0.5‑mL single‑dose prefilled syringes for ages 6 months and older [10]. CDC’s seasonal pages and MMWR summary reiterate the single‑dose, thimerosal‑free preference for the season and project manufacturers will supply up to 154 million doses, noting no anticipated supply issues [7] [6].
4. What about other common brands (Fluzone, Flublok, etc.)
CDC materials list product presentations and note Fluzone (Sanofi) has historically been supplied in prefilled single‑dose syringes and multi‑dose vials; for 2025–26, CDC tables reflect single‑dose presentations but also explain some small‑volume pediatric prefilled syringes (0.25 mL) are no longer available and that multidose vials are not recommended [11] [9]. Flublok’s age indication was expanded and it is included among available vaccines, but the specific presentation formats in syringe form are documented in CDC product tables rather than in the search snippets provided here [6] [12]. Available sources do not mention a full brand‑by‑brand list of every single‑dose syringe presentation in one place.
5. Operational caveats clinics should watch for
Public health guidance warns that while single‑dose syringes are preferred, some multidose vials containing thimerosal may still be in circulation; ACIP/CDC advise using thimerosal‑free single‑dose forms when vaccinating the recommended groups [8] [9]. Manufacturers sometimes offer both syringe and vial presentations (Afluria explicitly offers both), so purchasers must confirm which presentation they receive and whether it is thimerosal‑free [3].
6. Competing perspectives and implicit agendas
Manufacturers emphasize convenience and supply (GSK public pages, Seqirus product listings), which supports their commercial interest in syringe presentations [1] [2] [3] [4]. Public health agencies emphasize single‑dose, thimerosal‑free use for safety policy and to simplify recommendations; CDC and ACIP framing focuses on reducing exposure to preservatives and guiding program purchases [6] [7]. Trade reporting (CIDRAP) highlights shipment starts and supply sufficiency—an industry‑facing narrative that reassures providers about availability [10].
7. Bottom line and next steps for clinicians and patients
If you need single‑dose prefilled syringes for 2025–26, documentation shows GSK’s Fluarix and Flulaval, Seqirus’s Afluria and Fluad, and Flucelvax prefilled syringes are available and described as preservative‑free single‑dose presentations [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]. Confirm the exact presentation and preservative status on ordering invoices or package inserts before administration; CDC and ACIP recommend using only single‑dose, thimerosal‑free formulations for the season [6] [7]. Available sources do not provide a single exhaustive checklist of every brand/presentation in syringe format—clinics should consult manufacturer labeling and CDC product tables for final verification [9].