Influenza Virus Vaccine, Inactivated

Generic Name: influenza virus vaccine (injectable)

Brands: Flu Shield, Fluogen, Flushield, Fluvirin, Fluzone, Fluzone PFS, Fluzone SV, Fluzone WV

What is the most important information I should know about Influenza Virus Vaccine, Inactivated?

· People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. Those who are moderately or severely ill or have a fever should usually wait until they recover before getting influenza vaccine.

What is Influenza Virus Vaccine, Inactivated?

· Influenza virus ("flu") is a serious disease caused by a virus. Influenza virus spreads from an infected person to the nose or throat of others. Influenza vaccine exposes the individual to a small dose of inactivated (killed) virus (or a protein from the virus) and causes the body to develop immunity to the disease.

· Influenza virus infection can cause fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills, and muscle aches. Anyone can get influenza. Most people are ill with influenza for only a few days, but some get much sicker and may need to be hospitalized. Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year, mostly among the elderly.

· Influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone 50 years of age and older; residents of long-term care facilities housing persons with chronic medical conditions; anyone who has a long-term health problem such as: heart disease, lung disease, asthma, kidney disease, metabolic disease, such as diabetes; anemia or other blood disorders; anyone with a weakened immune system due to : HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system, medications, or cancer treatment; anyone 6 months to 18 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment (who could develop Reye Syndrome if they catch influenza); pregnant women who will be past the 3rd month of pregnancy during the flu season (usually November to March, but past March in some years); doctor, nurses, family members, or anyone else coming in close contact with people at risk of serious influenza. An annual flu shot is also recommended for healthy children 6-23 months of age, and their household contacts and out-of-home caretakers; household contacts and out-of-home caretakers of infants less than 6 months of age; people who provide essential community services; people at high risk for flu complications who travel to the Southern hemisphere between April and September, or who travel to the tropics or in organized tourist groups at any time; people living in dormitories or under other crowded conditions, to prevent outbreaks; and anyone who wants to reduce their chance of catching influenza.

· Influenza virus vaccine can help prevent the disease. Many more people would get the disease if vaccination did not occur.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving Influenza Virus Vaccine, Inactivated?

· Anyone who had a life-threatening allergic reaction to eggs or after receiving a dose of influenza vaccine should not get another dose. Anyone who has a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) should not receive influenza vaccine.

· People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. Those who are moderately or severely ill or have a fever should usually wait until they recover before getting influenza vaccine.

· Talk to your doctor before receiving influenza vaccine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby. Influenza vaccine is recommended for women past the 3rd month of pregnancy during the flu season (usually November to March, but past March in some years).

How is Influenza Virus Vaccine, Inactivated administered?

· Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will administer the Influenza Virus Vaccine, Inactivated as an injection.

· Most people need only one flu shot each year to prevent influenza. Children under 9 years old getting flu vaccine for the first time should get 2 shots, one month apart.

· The best time to get a flu shot is in October or November. But because the flu season typically peaks between January and March, vaccination in December, or even later can be beneficial in most years.

· Some people should be vaccinated beginning in September or October: people 65 years of age and older, people at high risk from flu and its complications; household contact of these groups; healthcare workers; and children under 9 getting the flu shot for the first time.

· The viruses in influenza vaccine have been killed, so you cannot get influenza from the vaccine.

· Your doctor may recommend reducing fever and pain by taking an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, others) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Your healthcare provider can tell you the appropriate dosages of these medications.

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Since only one dose of the vaccine is usually given, missing a dose should not occur.

What happens if I overdose?

· An overdose of influenza vaccine is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid before or after getting Influenza Virus Vaccine, Inactivated?

· There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity before or after receiving influenza vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of Influenza Virus Vaccine, Inactivated?

· Getting the flu is much riskier than getting influenza vaccine. The viruses in influenza vaccine have been killed, so you cannot get influenza from the vaccine. However, a vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of influenza vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

· Seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if any of the following rare but serious side effects from influenza vaccine are experienced: ·a serious allergic reaction including swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; hives; paleness; weakness; dizziness; or a fast heart beat within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot; or ·Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) (muscle pain, weakness, or paralysis) (estimated at 1-2 cases per million persons vaccinated).

· Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience: ·fever; ·aches; or ·soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given.

· If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1-2 days.

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Contact your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Influenza Virus Vaccine, Inactivated?

· Talk to your doctor before receiving influenza vaccine if you are taking any of the following medications that may affect the immune system: ·an oral or injectable steroid medication such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred), prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone, others), or triamcinolone (Aristocort); ·an inhaled or nasal steroid such as beclomethasone (Qvar, Beclovent, Beconase, Vanceril, Vancenase), budesonide (Pulmicort, Rhinocort), flunisolide (Aerobid, Nasalide, Nasarel), fluticasone (Flovent, Flonase), mometasone (Nasonex), or triamcinolone (Azmacort, Nasacort); ·treatment for cancer with chemotherapy (medication), radiation, or x-rays; ·azathioprine (Imuran); ·basiliximab (Simulect); ·cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf); ·etanercept (Enbrel); ·leflunomide (Arava); ·muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone); ·mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept); ·sirolimus (Rapamune); or ·tacrolimus (Prograf).

· Influenza virus vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccinations.

Where can I get more information?

· Your doctor or pharmacist may have additional information or suggest additional resources regarding influenza vaccine.

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