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Fluzone® High-Dose Quadrivalent influenza vaccine

This product is manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur using the ingredient influenza vaccine, inactivated.

This product is taken via intramuscular injection.

Why is it prescribed?

Fluzone® High-Dose Quadrivalent influenza is a vaccine used to prevent influenza in adults 65 years of age and older. 

Each year, different strains of the influenza virus appear. Scientists try to predict which strains will be most likely for the coming year, and these strains are used to make up the year's influenza vaccine. Fluzone® High-Dose contains 2 influenza A strains and 2 influenza B strain. The vaccine only provides protection against the strains of flu virus used to prepare the vaccine.

Fluzone® High-Dose influenza vaccine contains a higher level of each of the included influenza strains than the standard influenza vaccines.  Evidence has shown that the High-Dose vaccine provides better protection against influenza in adults over 65 years of age.

It usually takes 2 to 4 weeks for the protection against these viruses to be effective, and the protection lasts for 6 to 12 months. Annual vaccination is necessary to make sure you are covered for the new virus strains that are expected each year.
The best time for vaccination is from mid-October, but anytime in the flu season (November to April) is appropriate.
Contrary to popular belief, influenza vaccine cannot cause the flu.
Fluzone® High-Dose may not work for everybody.


Alternatives

Other products that have the same ingredient as Fluzone® High-Dose Quadrivalent influenza vaccine are •Afluria® Tetra vaccine •Fluad® influenza vaccine •Flulaval® Tetra Influenza Vaccine •Fluzone® Quadrivalent influenza vaccine •Influvac® Tetra vaccine •

See other products used in the treatment of •flu •influenza •

Fluzone® High-Dose Quadrivalent is only for use in adults 65 years of age and older.

The dose is 0.7 ml given as a single intramuscular injection.


The influenza vaccine causes the body to produce antibodies against the virus. This means that when your body is exposed to the influenza virus, your body is able to defend itself. The antibodies stop the attacking virus. Influenza viruses change all the time, so different vaccines are made every year.


Influenza vaccine is generally well tolerated and most people will experience only minor unwanted effects. The frequency and severity of these effects depends mainly on the individual's susceptibility. Possible unwanted effects include:

  • soreness at the injection site
  • fever
  • feeling unwell
  • shivering
  • tiredness
  • headache
  • sweating
  • muscle joint pain
  • warmth


Rare:

  • nerve pain
  • numbness and tingling
  • seizures
  • blood disorders
  • allergic reactions

 


Influenza vaccine should not be given to:

  • people who have had an anaphylactic reaction (e.g., throat constriction, difficulty swallowing) to the influenza vaccine
  • people who have had an anaphylactic reaction to any of the vaccine components, with the exception of egg 
  • people who have developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of influenza vaccination

Influenza vaccination should be postponed: in serious acute illness - until symptoms have abated. Immunization should not be delayed because of minor acute illness, with or without fever.