Fluzone Injection: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Fluzone Injection (influenza virus vaccine) is an inactivated flu vaccine given as a shot into a muscle to help prevent influenza caused by the flu strains included in the vaccine. It is approved for people 6 months of age and older. It works by prompting the immune system to make antibodies against the included flu strains, and it is given based on age and prior vaccination history.

What is Fluzone Injection

Fluzone is a vaccine that helps protect against influenza (flu). It contains killed flu virus strains and is given as a shot into a muscle. It can be used in people 6 months of age and older.

Fluzone Injection uses

• Prevents influenza (flu) disease caused by the influenza A and B virus strains contained in the vaccine

Benefits of Fluzone Injection

• Helps prevent seasonal influenza
• Reduces the likelihood of flu-related illness
• Can reduce the risk of serious influenza complications
• Provides seasonal protection against included influenza strains
• Suitable for a broad range of ages beginning at 6 months

How Fluzone Injection works

After you get the flu shot, your immune system makes antibodies against the flu strains in the vaccine. These antibodies help protect you if you're exposed to the virus during flu season. The vaccine contains killed virus, so it cannot give you the flu.

Fluzone Injection dosage

Fluzone is given as an injection into a muscle, usually the upper arm for adults and older children, or the thigh muscle for infants and younger children. The vial or prefilled syringe should be shaken well before each dose is given. Children who have not been vaccinated against flu before may need a second shot about a month after the first. If a child's second dose is missed, it can still be given at any time. Wait until any effects of the vaccine have worn off before driving or using machines if you feel unwell after vaccination.

Available forms and strengths

• Suspension for injection
• Multidose vial
• Pre-filled syringe

Side effects of Fluzone Injection

Common

• Pain, tenderness, redness, swelling, bruising and hardness at the injection site
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Feeling unwell (malaise)
• Fever and shivering/chills
• Rash, including a purplish rash
• Joint pain
• Abdominal pain
• In children: irritability, abnormal crying, drowsiness, appetite loss, cough, runny nose and vomiting

Serious

• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) with signs like difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, throat or tongue, cold clammy skin, palpitations, dizziness, weakness, fainting, rash or itching
• Inflammation of nerves leading to weakness, such as facial muscle weakness (facial palsy) or visual disturbance (optic neuritis/neuropathy)
• Fainting (syncope), dizziness, tingling or numbness of hands or feet (paraesthesia)
• Guillain-Barré syndrome (temporary nerve inflammation causing pain, paralysis and sensitivity problems)
• Fits (convulsions) with or without fever, including febrile seizures in young children
• Temporary drop in platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
• Swollen glands in the neck, armpit or groin (lymphadenopathy)

Warnings and precautions

• Do not get this vaccine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Fluzone or any of its ingredients, including egg protein.
• Tell your doctor if you have a bleeding problem or bruise easily, since injections can cause bleeding or bruising at the injection site in people with these conditions.
• Tell your doctor if you have ever had Guillain-Barré syndrome (a condition causing severe muscle weakness) after a previous flu vaccine, as this needs careful consideration before getting another dose.
• If you have an illness with a high fever, vaccination should usually be delayed until you feel better.
• If your immune system is weakened by disease or treatment, the vaccine might not protect you as well.
• Fainting can happen during, after, or even before getting an injection, so tell your doctor if you have fainted from injections before.
• This vaccine only protects against the flu strains it contains or closely related strains—it won't protect against all types of flu, and it may not fully protect everyone who gets it.
• This vaccine is not recommended for infants under 6 months of age.
• In young children, there is a small increased risk of febrile seizures (fits with fever) in the first day after vaccination.
• If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor first. Health authorities recommend flu vaccination during pregnancy because flu can cause serious problems for pregnant women, but your doctor should weigh the benefits and risks with you.
• If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about the possible risks and benefits before getting this vaccine.
• No routine dosage adjustment is required solely for kidney impairment.
• No routine dosage adjustment is required solely for liver impairment.
• There is no specific direct interaction with alcohol, but avoiding alcohol if feeling unwell after vaccination is sensible.
• Do not drive or use machines if you feel unwell after getting the vaccine. Wait until any effects have gone away first.

Storage

• Keep in the fridge between 2-8°C. Do not freeze.
• Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
• Keep Fluzone in the original pack until it is time for it to be given.
• Do not use Fluzone after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP.
• Do not use Fluzone if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
• Medicines including vaccines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required.

When to see a doctor

• Call your doctor right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency department if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, nerve problems causing weakness or numbness, fainting, dizziness, seizures, unusual bruising, or swollen glands.
• Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you notice signs of an allergic reaction after vaccination, such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue, cold clammy skin, palpitations, dizziness, weakness, fainting, rash or itching.
• If you have a troubling symptom or side effect that isn't listed or that interferes with your daily life, tell your healthcare provider.

Alternatives

• Fluarix
• FluLaval
• Afluria