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.
Back to Top
What are the possible side effects of influenza virus injectable vaccine?
Influenza virus injectable (killed virus) vaccine will not cause you to become ill with the
flu virus that it contains. However, you may have flu-like symptoms at any time during flu
season that may be caused by other strains of influenza virus.
You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life-threatening allergic
reaction after the first shot.
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.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic
reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
Less serious side effects may include:
-
low fever, chills;
-
redness, bruising, pain, swelling, or a lump where the
vaccine was injected;
-
headache, tired feeling; or
-
joint or muscle pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
Back to Top
How is this given?
Some brands of this vaccine are made for use in adults and not in children. Your child's doctor can recommend the best influenza virus vaccine for your child. This vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle. You will receive this injection in a doctor's office or other clinic setting. You should receive a flu vaccine every year. Your immunity will gradually decrease over the 12 months after you receive the influenza virus vaccine. Children receiving this vaccine may need a booster shot one month after receiving the first vaccine.
Back to Top
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.
Back to Top
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since flu shots are usually given only one time per year, you will most likely not be on a dosing schedule. Call your doctor if you forget to receive your yearly flu shot in October or November. If your child misses a booster dose of this vaccine, call your doctor for instructions.
Back to Top
What other drugs will affect influenza virus injectable vaccine?
Before receiving this vaccine, tell your doctor if you are using phenytoin (Dilantin), theophylline (Respbid, Slo-Bid, Theodur, Uniphyl), or a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin). Also tell the doctor if you have recently received drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, including: an oral, nasal, inhaled, or injectable steroid medicine; medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders, such as azathioprine (Imuran), efalizumab (Raptiva), etanercept (Enbrel), leflunomide (Arava), and others; or
Back to Top
Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?
Influenza virus vaccine, inactivated has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have not been reported. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Influenza virus vaccine, inactivated is only recommended during pregnancy when the potential benefit outweighs the risk.
There are no data on the excretion of influenza virus vaccine, inactivated into human milk. The manufacturer recommends that caution by used when administering influenza virus vaccine, inactivated to nursing women.
Back to Top
Who should NOT use this medication?
- Hypersensitivity or history of anaphylactic reaction to egg or egg proteins, or any other vaccine component. (See Sensitivity Reactions under Cautions.)
- Previous life-threatening reaction to any influenza vaccine.
- Acute evolving neurologic disorder. Delay immunization in individuals with active neurologic disorders characterized by changing neurologic findings until the disorder has stabilized.
- Afluria®: Individuals hypersensitive to neomycin or polymyxin. (See Neomycin and/or Polymyxin B Allergy under Cautions.)
Back to Top
What happens if I overdose?
An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to occur.
Back to Top
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving this vaccine?
Do not receive this vaccine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a flu vaccine, or if you have: an active or uncontrolled neurologic disorder (such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, or epilepsy); a history of Guillain-Barr¿ syndrome (especially if you had it within 6 weeks after having a flu vaccine); or if you are allergic to chicken or egg products. Before receiving influenza virus vaccine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have: a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia or easy bruising;
Back to Top
Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
Back to Top
I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
Back to Top
Where can I get more information?
More Information
Back to Top
Print
Email
Save
Drug Info Tools
Medicare's drug plans are subsidized by the US federal government and offered through insurers.
