What is the most important information I should know about this vaccine?
The injectable influenza virus vaccine (flu shot) is a "killed virus" vaccine.
Influenza
virus vaccine is also available in a nasal spray form, which is a "live virus" vaccine. This
medication guide addresses only the injectable form of this vaccine.
You can still receive a vaccine if you have a cold or fever. In the case of a more severe
illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this
vaccine.
Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. If you
ever have to receive another influenza virus vaccine in the future, you will need to tell the doctor
if the first shot caused any side effects.
Like any vaccine, influenza virus vaccine may not provide protection from disease in
every person. This vaccine will not prevent illness caused by avian flu ("bird flu").
Becoming infected with influenza (commonly known as "the flu") is much more
dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Influenza causes
thousands of deaths each year, and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. Like any
medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
What is influenza virus injectable vaccine?
Influenza virus (commonly known as "the flu") is a serious disease caused by a virus.
Influenza virus can spread from one person to another through small droplets of saliva that are
expelled into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can also be passed
through contact with objects the infected person has touched, such as a door handle or other
surfaces.
Influenza virus vaccine is used to prevent infection caused by influenza virus. The vaccine
is redeveloped each year to contain specific strains of inactivated (killed) flu virus that are
recommended by public health officials for that year.
The injectable influenza virus vaccine (flu shot) is a "killed virus" vaccine. Influenza
virus vaccine is also available in a nasal spray form, which is a "live virus" vaccine.
Influenza virus vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus, which helps
your body to develop immunity to the disease. Influenza virus vaccine will not treat an active
infection that has already developed in the body.
Influenza virus vaccine is for use in adults and children who are at least 6 months
old.
Becoming infected with influenza (commonly known as "the flu") is much more
dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Influenza causes
thousands of deaths each year, and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. Like any
medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
Like any vaccine, influenza virus vaccine may not provide protection from disease in
every person. This vaccine will not prevent illness caused by avian flu ("bird flu").
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