Fluzone Quadrivalent

Fluzone Quadrivalent is an inactivated influenza virus vaccine used for the prevention of influenza.

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.

Fluzone Quadrivalent 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 Fluzone Quadrivalent (flu shot) is a "killed virus" vaccine.

Fluzone Quadrivalent works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus, which helps your body to develop immunity to the disease. This medicine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year, and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. Influenza is most dangerous in children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with weak immune systems or health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer.

Becoming infected with influenza is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Like any vaccine, Fluzone Quadrivalent may not provide protection from disease in every person. This vaccine will not prevent illness caused by avian flu ("bird flu").

Fluzone Quadrivalent vaccine is made from "killed viruses" and will not cause you to become ill with the flu virus.

Becoming infected with influenza is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

You may not be able to receive Fluzone Quadrivalent if you are allergic to eggs, or if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine.

Tell your vaccination provider if you have:

• a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicine); or
• a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome (within 6 weeks after receiving a flu vaccine).

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving Fluzone Quadrivalent.

Tell your vaccination provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women get a flu shot during any trimester of pregnancy to protect themselves and their newborn babies from flu. The nasal spray form of influenza vaccine is not recommended for use in pregnant women.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Fluzone: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

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. If you receive a Fluzone Quadrivalent in the future, you will need to tell the vaccination provider if the previous shot caused any side effects.

Fluzone Quadrivalent is made from "killed viruses" and will not cause you to become ill with the flu virus. You may have flu-like symptoms at any time during flu season that may be caused by other strains of influenza virus.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• severe weakness or unusual feeling in your arms and legs;
• numbness, pain, tingling, burning or prickly feeling;
• vision or hearing problems; or
• a fever higher than 101 degrees F.

Common Fluzone side effects may include:

• pain, redness, tenderness, swelling, bruising, or a hard lump where the shot was given;
• diarrhea, loss of appetite;
• muscle pain;
• headache, tiredness; or
• fussiness, crying, or drowsiness in a child.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

Fluzone Quadrivalent is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle.

Fluzone Quadrivalent is for use in adults and children who are at least 6 months old. Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent is for use in adults who are at least 65 years of age.

Children 6 months to 8 years old may need a second flu shot 4 weeks after receiving the first vaccine. Adults and children 9 years and older only require one shot.

In the northern hemisphere Fluzone Quadrivalent vaccine is usually given in October or November. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by your local health department.

Since the Fluzone Quadrivalentis redeveloped each year for specific strains of influenza, you should receive a flu vaccine every year.

Call your doctor if you forget to receive your yearly flu shot in October or November, or if your child misses a booster dose.

An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to occur.

Follow your vaccination provider's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

If you are using any of these medications, you may not be able to receive the vaccine, or may need to wait until the other treatments are finished:

• steroid medicine;
• medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders; or
• medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with Fluzone Quadrivalent, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.