Afluria® Tetra vaccine
This product is manufactured by Seqirus using the ingredient influenza vaccine, inactivated.
This product is taken via intramuscular injection.
Why is it prescribed?
Influenza vaccination is recommended for all individuals aged 6 months and older. The vaccine is especially recommended for people at high risk of influenza-related complications such as infants aged 6 to 23 months, adults over 65 years of age, pregnant individuals, and individuals with certain medical conditions and/or living situations.
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. Afluria® Tetra 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 from mid-October, but anytime in the flu season (November to April) is appropriate.
Contrary to popular belief, influenza vaccine cannot cause the flu.
Afluria® Tetra may not work for everybody.
Alternatives
Other products that have the same ingredient as Afluria® Tetra vaccine are •Fluviral vaccine •Fluzone High-Dose® vaccine •Fluzone® vaccine •Influvac® vaccine •
See other products used in the treatment of •flu •influenza •
The dosage of Afluria® Tetra for ages 5 years and older is 0.5 ml given by intramuscular injection. Previously unvaccinated children 5 to < 9 years of age should be given 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart.
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:
- inflammation of the nerves causing pain, weakness and paralysis (a temporary condition called Guillain-Barré syndrome)
- sore red itchy eyes and difficulty breathing or other lung problems (e.g., coughing, wheezing), a condition called oculorespiratory syndrome
- 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.
Use in pregnancy: recommended
Use while breastfeeding: evidence indicates that the vaccine is safe for breastfeeding mothers and their infants.