Drug reference

influenza virus vaccine

inactivated vaccine, recombinant protein vaccine, live attenuated virus vaccine · vaccine

inactivated vaccine, recombinant protein vaccine, live attenuated virus vaccinevaccine

CDSCO approved

EXCRETION

—

not curated

INTERACTIONS

—

none in our sources

PREGNANCY

—

not curated

Mechanism

Influenza virus vaccines induce immunity against the orthomyxovirus influenza virus. They come in different types: inactivated (viruses treated with an inactivating agent), recombinant protein (purified hemagglutinin protein), and live attenuated (administered nasally, containing attenuating mutations).

Indications

prevention of influenza (the flu)Immunization against influenza (only in high risk cases)

Dosing

Adult: single dose each year
Pediatric: children 6 months through 8 years of age may need two doses during a single influenza season

Contraindications

life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of influenza vaccine
severe allergy to any component of the vaccine (e.g., egg protein for egg-prepared vaccines)
history of Guillain-Barré syndrome (for some inactivated vaccines)
live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is contraindicated in those who have had a life-threatening allergic reaction or severe allergy, and for children 2-17 years old based on 2013-2016 data (check for updated guidelines)

Side effects

Common

Local tenderness (30%, commoner in children)Induration (30%, commoner in children)Fever (less frequent, lasting 1–2 days)Malaise (less frequent, lasting 1–2 days)Myalgia (less frequent, lasting 1–2 days)

Serious