Supemtek™

Supemtek™

This product is manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur using the ingredient influenza vaccine - inactivated; recombinant.

This product is taken via intramuscular injection.

Why is it prescribed?

This vaccine is indicated for the prevention of seasonal influenza in persons 18 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. Supemtek™ contains 2 influenza A strains and 2 influenza B strains. The vaccine only provides protection against the strains of flu virus used to prepare the vaccine.

It usually takes 2 to 3 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 in the early fall, but anytime in the flu season (November to April) is appropriate.
Contrary to popular belief, influenza vaccine cannot cause the flu, as the virus in the vaccine is inactivated.
Supemtek™ may not be effective for everybody.


Alternatives

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

The dosage for persons over 18 years of age is 0.5 ml given via IM injection, preferably in the deltoid muscle.  This dosage gives 45 mcg of each of the 4 influenza strains recommended for inclusion in each year's influenza vaccine. This is 3 times higher than the amount in the other standard dose influenza vaccines.

 

 


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. 

Recombinant technology is used to manufacture this vaccine. No eggs or flu virus are used in the manufacturing process. 

This vaccine has comparable efficacy and safety profile to the traditional inactivated influenza vaccines however it is more expensive than the traditional vaccines and there is less experience with it in Canada.

Advantages:

  • not dependent on egg supply
  • high vaccine purity
  • exact match to the influenza strains recommended by the World Health Organization for inclusion in the seasonal influenza vaccines
  • may have higher vaccine effectiveness than standard egg-based influenza vaccines
  • may permit faster manufacturing in the event of a pandemic

 


Side effects are usually mild and transient.  The most common are:

  • Local reactions: pain, tenderness at the injection site
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Muscle pain and joint pain 

Do not use this vaccine if:

  • You are allergic to any of the ingredients in this vaccine. (Supemtek does not contain any antibiotics, preservatives or gelatin. It is latex-free.)


Speak to your health care provider if you:

  • have an infection or temperature higher than 38.5°C. Your doctor may decide to delay vaccination until the illness has passed. A minor illness such as a cold is not usually a reason to delay vaccination.
  • have low immunity due to treatment with certain medicines
  • have or have had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding: Considered safe