VaxiFlu-S Vaccine

VaxiFlu-S Vaccine is given as an injection into a muscle by a doctor or nurse. It is usually given just before the cold season when the flu virus begins to increase. Normally, only one injection is required to protect you for a year. You should have the vaccination each year because different new strains of the flu virus emerge frequently and different vaccines are developed. It is especially important to have this vaccine if you are elderly or have chronic health problems such as diabetes, heart failure, kidney failure, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is also recommended for young children over 6 months of age.

This vaccine can cause mild side effects, but it is better to get vaccinated than to become infected with flu. Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year. The most common side effects include headache, weakness, tiredness, and pain or swelling at the vaccination site. They do not normally last very long. Consult your doctor if any of the side effects persist or worry you.

Before having the injection, you should tell your doctor if you have an illness with a high temperature or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a vaccine. Some other medicines may react with the flu vaccine so talk to your doctor about other medications you are taking as well. As with any vaccine, vaccination may not fully protect everybody, although it will reduce the symptoms of the flu if you get it. It will not prevent illness from avian flu (bird flu) or a common cold. Consult your doctor first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Prevention of Influenza (flu)

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

VaxiFlu-S Vaccine is an inactivated vaccine (made from a dead virus). It helps develop immunity by forming antibodies, which are proteins that protect against infection caused by viruses present in the vaccine.

If you miss a dose of VaxiFlu-S Vaccine, please consult your doctor.

Your doctor will inject VaxiFlu-S Vaccine as an injection in the muscle of the upper arm.

Vaccination should be repeated every year to protect you from the flu.

It can take up to 2 weeks for the vaccine to work. Therefore, you could still develop the illness if you are exposed to flu immediately before or after your vaccination.

The vaccine will not protect you against common cold, even though some of the symptoms are similar to flu.

Q. When should I get vaccinated against influenza or flu?

You can get vaccinated at any time during the cold season. However, it is better to get vaccinated at the beginning of the cold season. It is important to know that only one injection is required to protect you for a year.

Q. Who should get vaccinated against influenza?

VaxiFlu-S Vaccine is recommended for people who are at high risk of developing influenza (flu). It is mainly given to children as early as 6 months of age, pregnant women, adults upto the age of 64 years and patients having weak immunity due to chronic illness.

Q. Is VaxiFlu-S Vaccine helpful in preventing swine flu?

Yes, VaxiFlu-S Vaccine is used to prevent symptoms of swine flu. VaxiFlu-S Vaccine contains a very small amount of the flu virus which is introduced in our body to promote the production of antibodies (chemicals that attack that specific virus). This helps to develop immunity against the virus infection in the future.

Q. How do you store VaxiFlu-S Vaccine?

VaxiFlu-S Vaccine should be stored in a refrigerator at 2 – 8ºC (35-46ºF) until it is used. The temperature (2 to 8ºC) must be maintained even when transporting VaxiFlu-S Vaccine.

Q. How is VaxiFlu-S Vaccine supplied?

VaxiFlu-S Vaccine is supplied as a suspension in a prefilled syringe with a plunger stopper and a tip cap with or without needles in various pack sizes.

In Prevention of Influenza (flu)

Influenza (flu) is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system (nose, throat, and lungs). For most people, it gets better on its own. However, for people who are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill such as elderly, young children, pregnant women, people with chronic long-term conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, and diabetes), people with weakened immune systems and residents of a nursing home should have the influenza vaccine to provide protection.Because the flu virus changes quickly and new strains appear regularly, a new vaccination is needed every year (even though you may have antibodies to a previous version). It is never 100% effective and some strains will be immune, but it is still your best defense against influenza and will reduce the seriousness of the illness if you get it. Influenza can be a serious illness and kills a large number of people every year. So, you should ask about this vaccine if you feel you are vulnerable.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)

Weakness

Headache

Alcohol:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with VaxiFlu-S Vaccine. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

VaxiFlu-S Vaccine is safe to use during pregnancy. Most studies have shown low or no risk to the developing baby.

Breast feeding:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Information regarding the use of VaxiFlu-S Vaccine during breastfeeding is not available. Please consult your doctor.

Driving:SAFE

VaxiFlu-S Vaccine does not usually affect your ability to drive.

Kidney:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

There is limited information available on the use of VaxiFlu-S Vaccine in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor.

Liver:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

There is limited information available on the use of VaxiFlu-S Vaccine in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.

Inactivated Influenza vaccine . Mumbai, India: Sanofi Pasteur India Pvt. Ltd.; 2014. . view

Fluarix Quadrivalent . Dresden, Germany: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals; 2012 . view

Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation . view