Flucelvax Quadrivalent

Generic name: influenza virus vaccine (injection) [ IN-floo-EN-za-VYE-rus-VAK-seen ]
Drug class: Viral vaccines

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 15, 2023.

What is Flucelvax Quadrivalent?

Flucelvax Quadrivalent is an inactivated influenza virus vaccine used for the prevention of influenza.

Influenza virus ("the flu") is a contagious disease caused by a virus that can spread from one person to another through the air or on surfaces. Flu symptoms include fever, chills, tiredness, aches, sore throat, cough, vomiting, and diarrhea. The flu can also cause sinus infections, ear infections, bronchitis, or serious complications such as pneumonia.

Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year, and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. Influenza is most dangerous in children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with weak immune systems or health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer.

Flucelvax Quadrivalent is used to prevent infection caused by influenza virus. The vaccine is redeveloped each year to contain specific strains of inactivated flu virus that are recommended by public health officials for that year.

The injectable Flucelvax Quadrivalent (flu shot) is made from "killed viruses."

Flucelvax Quadrivalent works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus, which helps your body to develop immunity to the disease. This medicine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Flucelvax Quadrivalent is for use in adults and children who are at least 6 months old.

Becoming infected with influenza is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year, and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Like any vaccine, Flucelvax Quadrivalent may not provide protection from disease in every person.

Warnings

Flucelvax Quadrivalent is made from "killed viruses" and will not cause you to become ill with the flu virus.

Becoming infected with influenza is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. However, like any medicine ,Flucelvax Quadrivalent can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Before taking this medicine

You may not be able to receive Flucelvax Quadrivalent f you are allergic to eggs, or if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine.

Tell your vaccination provider if you have:

• a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicine); or

• a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome (within 6 weeks after receiving a flu vaccine).

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving Flucelvax Quadrivalent vaccine.

Tell your vaccination provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women get a flu shot during any trimester of pregnancy to protect themselves and their newborn babies from flu. The nasal spray form of influenza vaccine is not recommended for use in pregnant women.

How is this vaccine given?

Flucelvax Quadrivalent is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle. You will receive this injection in a doctor's office or other clinic setting.

You should receive a flu vaccine every year. Your immunity will gradually decrease over the 12 months after you receive the Flucelvax Quadrivalent. Children receiving this vaccine may need a booster shot one month after receiving the first vaccine.

For children 6 months through 8 years of age, one or two doses of 0.5 mL are required. If 2 doses are needed they are given at least 4 weeks apart. The use of 1 or 2 doses depends on vaccination history.
For children 9 years of age and adults only one dose of 0.5 mL is requitred.

The Flucelvax Quadrivalent is usually given in October or November. Some people may need to have their vaccines earlier or later. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Your doctor may recommend treating fever and pain with an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Follow the label directions or your doctor's instructions about how much of this medicine to give your child.

It is especially important to prevent fever from occurring in a child who has a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor if you forget to receive your yearly flu shot in October or November, or if your child misses a booster dose.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid before or after receiving this vaccine?

Follow your vaccination provider's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Flucelvax Quadrivalent side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Flucelvax: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of any and all side effects you have. If you receive an Flucelvax Quadrivalent in the future, you will need to tell the vaccination provider if the previous shot caused any side effects.

Flucelvax Quadrivalent is made from "killed viruses" and will not cause you to become ill with the flu virus. You may have flu-like symptoms at any time during flu season that may be caused by other strains of influenza virus.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• severe weakness or unusual feeling in your arms and legs;

• numbness, pain, tingling, burning or prickly feeling;

• vision or hearing problems; or

• a fever higher than 101 degrees F.

Common Flucelvax side effects may include:

• pain, redness, tenderness, swelling, bruising, or a hard lump where the shot was given;

• diarrhea, loss of appetite;

• muscle pain;

• headache, tiredness; or

• fussiness, crying, or drowsiness in a child.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

What other drugs will affect Flucelvax Quadrivalent?

If you are using any of these medications, you may not be able to receive the vaccine, or may need to wait until the other treatments are finished:

• steroid medicine;

• medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders; or

• medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with Flucelvax Quadrivalent, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

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Further information

• Your vaccination provider, pharmacist, or doctor can provide more information about Flucelvax Quadrivalent. Additional information is available from your local health department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Flucelvax only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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