On Wednesday, as confirmed by a very delighted Sanofi-Aventis DA, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a high-dose medicine made by the drug manufacturer for treatment of flu, in people aged 65 and above.

The new vaccine employs higher doses to produce immune responses which are stronger, and better protect the older population against influenza and seasonal flu, as confirmed by the FDA.

Starting Fall of 2010, the drug will be available for immunizing the elderly, right ahead of the next strong flu season, as has been confirmed by Sanofi Pasteur, the company's vaccine unit.

With the high dose medicine, the FDA shared, "non serious" developments such as redness and swelling of the injection-site are rather frequent, and the rate of the more serious issues was "comparable with Sanofi's regular-dose Fluzone".

The approval for the new vaccine has been given based on the studies which successfully show that it is more effective and shows a stronger immune response as compared to the original drug Fluzone. The FDA has stressed that the company must conduct more studies to substantiate the claims that the high dose version actually does manage to decrease seasonal flu post vaccination.