Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Influenza - prophylaxis

Prophylaxis of influenza, especially in those who are at an increased risk of associated complications.

Influenza vaccine will not control epidemics. Immunisation with this product is recommended for individuals over 2 years of age with the following conditions:
Chronic respiratory disease, including asthma.
Chronic cardiac disease.
Chronic renal disease.
Chronic neurological disease.
Diabetes mellitus.
Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment.
Chronic liver disease.
HIV infection (regardless of immune status).
Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen.
Morbid obesity (Class III obesity).
Pregnancy, all trimesters.
Individuals aged over 65 years.

Patients in nursing homes, residential homes, and other long-stay facilities should also be immunised, as well as carers where an elderly or disabled person may be at risk if the carer is ill.

Immunisation should be considered for household contacts of immunocompromised individuals, as well as healthcare and social care workers who are directly involved in patient care.

For comprehensive information or advice on this product or the immunisation programme in the UK, the following website should be accessed.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immunisation-against-infectious-disease-the-green-book

Administration

For intramuscular injection only, the deltoid muscle is the preferred site of injection.

Contraindications

Acute infection
Children under 2 years
Febrile disorder

Precautions and Warnings

Immunosuppression
Immunodeficiency syndromes
Thrombocytopenia

Postpone immunisation if there is active or suspected infection
Impaired response possible in immunocompromised patients
Vaccine may not be effective in 100% of patients
May contain polysorbate
May contain trace amounts of betapropiolactone
May contain trace amounts of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide
Do not mix with other vaccines in the same syringe
Do not use if solution is discoloured or particulates are apparent
Inject other vaccines at different sites
Record name and batch number of administered product
Resuscitation facilities must be immediately available
Warm to room temperature prior to use
Follow national immunisation guidelines

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Refer to current national guidelines.

Seasonal influenza vaccine should be offered to pregnant women. A review of safety studies concluded that inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine can be safely and effectively administered during any trimester of pregnancy and that no study to date has demonstrated an increased risk of either maternal complications or adverse foetal outcomes associated with inactivated influenza vaccine.

Lactation

The vaccine may be used during breastfeeding.

Side Effects

Allergic reaction
Anaphylactic reaction
Arthralgia
Chills
Decreased appetite
Diarrhoea
Ecchymosis (injection site)
Erythema at injection site
Fatigue
Fever
Headache
Induration (injection site)
Irritability
Local pain (injection site)
Local reaction at injection site
Myalgia
Nausea
Paraesthesia
Pruritus
Rash
Skin reactions
Sleepiness
Swelling (injection site)
Urticaria
Vomiting

Presentation

Vaccine containing inactivated influenza surface antigen grown in Madin Darby Canine Kidney cell culture.

Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Influenza - prophylaxis

Prophylaxis of influenza, especially in those who are at an increased risk of associated complications.

Influenza vaccine will not control epidemics. Immunisation with this product is recommended for individuals over 2 years of age with the following conditions:
Chronic respiratory disease, including asthma.
Chronic cardiac disease.
Chronic renal disease.
Chronic neurological disease.
Diabetes mellitus.
Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment.
Chronic liver disease.
HIV infection (regardless of immune status).
Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen.
Morbid obesity (Class III obesity).
Pregnancy, all trimesters.
Individuals aged over 65 years.

Patients in nursing homes, residential homes, and other long-stay facilities should also be immunised, as well as carers where an elderly or disabled person may be at risk if the carer is ill.

Immunisation should be considered for household contacts of immunocompromised individuals, as well as healthcare and social care workers who are directly involved in patient care.

For comprehensive information or advice on this product or the immunisation programme in the UK, the following website should be accessed.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immunisation-against-infectious-disease-the-green-book

Dosage

Adults

Children

Administration

For intramuscular injection only, the deltoid muscle is the preferred site of injection.

Contraindications

Acute infection
Children under 2 years
Febrile disorder

Precautions and Warnings

Immunosuppression
Immunodeficiency syndromes
Thrombocytopenia

Postpone immunisation if there is active or suspected infection
Impaired response possible in immunocompromised patients
Vaccine may not be effective in 100% of patients
May contain polysorbate
May contain trace amounts of betapropiolactone
May contain trace amounts of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide
Do not mix with other vaccines in the same syringe
Do not use if solution is discoloured or particulates are apparent
Inject other vaccines at different sites
Record name and batch number of administered product
Resuscitation facilities must be immediately available
Warm to room temperature prior to use
Follow national immunisation guidelines

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Refer to current national guidelines.

Seasonal influenza vaccine should be offered to pregnant women. A review of safety studies concluded that inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine can be safely and effectively administered during any trimester of pregnancy and that no study to date has demonstrated an increased risk of either maternal complications or adverse foetal outcomes associated with inactivated influenza vaccine.

Lactation

The vaccine may be used during breastfeeding.

Side Effects

Allergic reaction
Anaphylactic reaction
Arthralgia
Chills
Decreased appetite
Diarrhoea
Ecchymosis (injection site)
Erythema at injection site
Fatigue
Fever
Headache
Induration (injection site)
Irritability
Local pain (injection site)
Local reaction at injection site
Myalgia
Nausea
Paraesthesia
Pruritus
Rash
Skin reactions
Sleepiness
Swelling (injection site)
Urticaria
Vomiting

Overdosage

It is strongly recommended that the UK National Poisons Information Service be consulted on cases of suspected or actual overdose where there is doubt over the degree of risk or about appropriate management.

The following number will direct the caller to the relevant local centre (0844) 892 0111

Information may be obtained if you have access to ToxBase the primary clinical toxicology database of the National Poisons Information Service. This is available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Further Information

Last Full Review Date: January 2019.

Reference Sources

Summary of Product Characteristics: Cell-based Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (Surface Antigen, Inactivated) Seqirus suspension for injection in pre-filled syringe. Seqirus UK Limited. Revised September 2021.

Summary of Product Characteristics: Flucelvax Tetra. Seqirus UK Limited. Revised October 2020.

Immunisation against infectious disease - The Green Book.
Available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immunisation-against-infectious-disease-the-green-book
Last accessed 23 January 2019.