NEW YORK - Drugmaker Merck & Co has gained rights to sell and distribute CSL Ltd's seasonal flu vaccine in the United States under an agreement announced by the companies on Monday.

Under the deal between the large U.S. drugmaker and the Australian company, Merck will market the vaccine for the 2010/2011-2015/2016 flu seasons. CSL will retain the license for the vaccine, called Afluria, which was approved by U.S. regulators in September 2007.

CSL will supply Afluria to Merck and will retain responsibility for marketing the vaccine outside the United States. Financial terms were not disclosed.

By adding the seasonal flu vaccine, Merck said it will now market eight of the 10 vaccines on the recommended immunization schedule for U.S. adults. (Reporting by Lewis Krauskopf, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

Medicine U.S.