Why Was Quadrivalent Flu Vaccine Developed
For many years, flu vaccines were designed to protect against three different flu viruses: an influenza A virus, an influenza A virus and one influenza B virus, even though there are two different lineages of B viruses that circulate during most seasons. Adding a B virus from the second lineage was done to give broader protection against circulating flu viruses.
Immunogenicity Of Fluzone Quadrivalent In Adults 18 Years Of Age
In Study 3 , 565 adults 18 years of age and older who had received one dose of Fluzone Quadrivalent, TIV-1, or TIV-2 were included in the per-protocol immunogenicity analysis. The distribution of demographic characteristics was similar to that of the safety analysis set .
HI antibody GMTs 21 days following vaccination with Fluzone Quadrivalent were non-inferior to those following each TIV for all four strains, based on pre-specified criteria .
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Expected Benefits Of The Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccines
As mentioned above, two different influenza B strains may co-circulate during an influenza season. Therefore, adding a second B strain to influenza vaccines increases the likelihood of achieving adequate protection against influenza B disease. Some recent studies have evaluated the expected benefits of including QIVs in national immunization programs. For instance, Eichner et al. compared the effects of QIVs and TIVs on influenza incidence by using an individual simulation model in which the concomitant transmission of four influenza strains, maternal protection, boosting of existing immunity, loss of immunity and cross-immunizing events between the B lineages over 50 years were considered as variables. Their study found that QIV administration could prevent 11.2% of all influenza B infections which still occur with TIV, thus reducing the influenza burden on the community .
The public health impact of QIVs in the United States was analyzed in a model by Crépey and colleagues in a dynamic retrospective framework with real-life vaccine mismatch.
Assuming 70% cross-protection of the efficacy of a matching vaccine, the model predicted that QIV would have prevented, on average, about 16% more B lineage cases than TIV over the period 2000-2013 . The elderly and adults aged 50-64 years were seen to benefit most from QIV, with 21% and 18% reductions, respectively, in B lineage cases .
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What Is The Dosage For Afluria Quadrivalent
For Intramuscular Use Only.
Administer as a single 0.5 mL dose.
Immediately before use, shake thoroughly and inspect visually. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever suspension and container permit. If either of these conditions exists, the vaccine should not be administered.
The preferred site for intramuscular injection is the deltoid muscle of the upper arm.
When using the multi-dose vial, shake the vial thoroughly before withdrawing each dose.
It is recommended that small syringes be used to minimize any product loss.
To use the PharmaJet Stratis Needle-Free Injection System, refer to the Instructions for Use for the PharmaJet Stratis Needle-Free Injection System.
The Best Flu Vaccine For People Over 65
As we get older, our immune systems have a harder time responding to illnesses and vaccines. To help provide better protection, there are a few recommended options for older adults this year:
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Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent also known as the high-dose flu shot
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Fluad Quadrivalent
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Flublok Quadrivalent
If one of these three vaccines isnt available, you should still get vaccinated with another flu vaccine thats FDA-approved for your age range. All flu vaccines are effective against the flu. Its better to be vaccinated than to try to wait for a particular flu vaccine to become available.
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Flucelvax Quadrivalent Vaccine And Covid
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously issued interim clinical considerations stating that ‘COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines, including influenza vaccines, can be administered without regard to timing. And the annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged six months and older who do not have contraindications. ‘Providers should be aware of the potential for increased reactogenicity with coadministration and should consult the CDC for updated guidance as more information becomes available. If coadministered, COVID-19 vaccines and vaccines that might be more likely to cause a local reaction should be administered in different limbs, if possible.’
‘No data are currently available concerning coadministration of currently Authorized COVID-19 vaccines and influenza vaccines,’ stated Lisa Grohskopf, M.D., MPH, CDC’s ACIP vaccine committee presentation on June 24, 2021.
Fda Clears First Quadrivalent Flu Vaccine
The vaccine includes a second influenza B strain, which is designed to broaden protection against circulating strains. MedImmune plans to have the quadrivalent vaccine ready for the 2013-14 flu season.
Flu experts often have a difficult time deciding which lineageYamagata or Victoria to suggest in their annual vaccine recommendations, because influenza B circulation is so unpredictable.
For example, vaccines for this season’s Northern Hemisphere trivalent flu vaccine include a Victoria lineage influenza B strain. Few influenza B viruses have been available this season for testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , but about half are of the Yamagata strain that’s not covered by the current vaccine.
Karen Midthun, MD, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a press release that the influenza B burden is greatest in children, particularly preschoolers and school-aged youngsters. “A vaccine containing the four virus strains most likely to spread and cause illness during the influenza season offers an additional option to aid in influenza prevention efforts,” she said.
The FDA said the safety and effectiveness of the quadrivalent vaccine is supported in earlier FluMist trials, along with three new clinical studies on the quadrivalent version that involved 4,000 adults and children. It added that the studies suggested immune responses and adverse reactions were similar for both vaccines.
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During Past Flu Seasons
The CDC tracks seasonal flu vaccine effectiveness each year. Over the past 17 years, the highest effectiveness was in the 2010-2011 season when it was 60% effective.
Here are the effectiveness rates over the past five seasons for which data are available:
- 20152016: 48%
Side Effects Of The Flu Vaccine
Similar to other types of vaccinations, theres a risk of side effects with the flu shot. Common side effects may include tenderness or redness at the injection site.
In addition, some people experience mild flu-like symptoms for 1 to 2 days after vaccination. This can include weakness, body aches, or a fever, but this isnt the flu.
You might have issues if youre severely allergic to eggs or another ingredient in the vaccine.
Signs of a serious reaction include:
- breathing difficulty
- dizziness
Life threatening allergic reactions are rare after getting the flu shot, though.
Symptoms of a reaction occur within a few hours of vaccination. If you do have symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention.
The CDC recommends people with an egg allergy still get a flu shot. If you have a severe egg allergy, you may consider getting your flu shot in a medical setting that can treat allergic reactions. You can also request a vaccine that doesnt contain egg protein.
You may have to avoid vaccination if youre allergic to another ingredient in the vaccine.
In rare cases, Guillain-Barré syndrome may develop within days or weeks of a vaccination.
Guillain- Barré syndrome is a neurological disorder where the bodys immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. This condition can cause muscle weakness and paralysis.
Among those who receive a vaccination, theres only
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Flu Season Tips And Alerts
COVERAGE UNDER MAJOR HEALTH PLANS
FLUZONE® QUADRIVALENT may be covered with no co-payment or deductible under private insurance plans.
FLUBLOK® QUADRIVALENT INFLUENZA VACCINE
Proven flu protection in adults 50+, compared to a standard-dose influenza vaccine.
FLUZONE® HIGH-DOSE QUADRIVALENT INFLUENZAVACCINE
Superior flu protection for people age 65 years and olderversus Fluzone .
With 4-strain protection, FLUZONE® HIGH-DOSE QUADRIVALENT builds on the legacy of the trivalent formulation, which was clinically proven to be 24.2% more effective at preventing flu than standard-dose Fluzone in adults 65+.
What are Fluzone® Quadrivalent, Flublok® Quadrivalent, and Fluzone® High-Dose Quadrivalent?
Fluzone Quadrivalent, Flublok Quadrivalent, and Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent are vaccines indicated for immunization against disease caused by influenza A and B strains contained in the vaccine. Fluzone Quadrivalent is given to people 6 months of age and older. Flublok Quadrivalent is given to people 18 years of age and older. Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent is given to people 65 years of age and older.
Inactivated Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine
Children and adolescents
With respect to I/QIV, a phase II study was conducted in two groups of children aged 18-47 months: the first group was constituted by children who had received two doses of TIV in the previous season and who received one dose of TIV or I/QIV in the study season the second group was composed of unprimed children who received two doses of I/QIV or TIV 28 days apart during the study season. In comparison with the TIV, the I/QIV displayed superior immunogenicity towards the alternative-lineage B strain, without impairing the immune responses to shared strains. Moreover, the two vaccines proved similar in terms of reactogenicity and safety . These results were confirmed in a randomized phase III study conducted by Domachowske JB and colleagues in healthy children aged 3-17 years . Langley and colleagues also investigated the immunogenicity and safety of a I/QIV candidate versus TIVs, in a phase-III randomized controlled trial involving 3,094 children aged 3-17 years. The I/QIV was non-inferior to the TIVs in terms of immunogenicity towards the shared strains , and, in comparison with TIV controls, elicited superior responses to the added B strains. Solicited reactions, unsolicited adverse events and serious adverse events were similar in the I/QIV and pooled TIV groups .
Adults and elderly
The promising results obtaining with I/QIV in children were also confirmed in clinical trials performed in adult populations.
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What Vaccines Are Available For The 2021
There are nine vaccines that have been approved and released by the FDA for the 2021-2022 flu season. This year, all FDA-approved flu vaccines are quadrivalent meaning they protect against four different strains of influenza . Heres a rundown of the available flu vaccines for the year.
| Vaccine name | |
|---|---|
| Intramuscular | Egg protein |
Its important to note that pharmacies and healthcare providers may only carry a few brands of flu vaccine not all nine that are FDA-approved. If you are interested in or know you need a certain flu vaccine, its best to call ahead and see if your preferred vaccine is available.
Best Timing For Vaccination
The timing of vaccination should aim to achieve the highest level of protection during the peak of the influenza season. Flu season in Queensland is typically from June to September, with the peak usually in August.
Vaccinating from April provides protection before the peak season takes place. While protection is generally expected to last for the whole season, the best protection against influenza occurs within the first 3 to 4 months following vaccination.
It is never too late to vaccinate since influenza can circulate in the community all year round. Vaccination should continue to be offered as long as influenza viruses are circulating and a valid vaccine is available.
It is also important to remind people that the vaccine is not immediately effective and it generally takes 10 to 14 days to be fully protected.
Revaccination late in the same year for individuals who have already received a vaccination is not routinely recommended, although not contraindicated. Revaccination may be considered for people travelling to the Northern Hemisphere in late 2020, who were vaccinated in early 2020. An individual’s risk factors, risk of disease and current circulating virus strains should be taken into consideration before recommending a second dose. A second dose is not funded under the National Immunisation Program and the individual will need to pay for the vaccine and consultation fee, if applicable.
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What Is Flulaval Quadrivalent
FluLaval Quadrivalent is for use in adults and children at least 6 months old, to prevent infection caused by influenza virus. This vaccine helps your body develop immunity to the disease, but will not treat an active infection you already have.
FluLaval Quadrivalent is redeveloped each year to contain specific strains of inactivated flu virus that are recommended by public health officials for that year.
Influenza virus 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.
Like any vaccine, FluLaval Quadrivalent may not provide protection from disease in every person.
Why Should People Get Vaccinated Against Flu
Influenza is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and flu can affect people differently, but millions of people get flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year. Flu can mean a few days of feeling bad and missing work or it can result in more serious illness. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to help protect against flu. Vaccination has been shown to have many benefits including reducing the risk of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and even the risk of flu-related death in children. While some people who get a flu vaccine may still get sick, flu vaccination has been shown in several studies to reduce severity of illness.
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Flu Vaccine Side Effects
Side effects of the flu vaccine are usually mild and go away without treatment in a few days. Common side effects include:
- Soreness, redness, and swelling where the shot was given
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
Rarely, allergic reactions occur, often within minutes of the vaccine being administered. If you experience swelling, racing heart or trouble breathing, seek medical attention immediately. Extremely rarely a person may develop Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune disease.
Immunogenicity Of Fluzone Quadrivalent In Geriatric Adults 65 Years Of Age
In Study 4 , 660 adults 65 years of age and older were included in the per-protocol immunogenicity analysis. The distribution of demographic characteristics was similar to that of the safety analysis set .
HI antibody GMTs 21 days following vaccination with Fluzone Quadrivalent were non-inferior to those following TIV for all four strains, based on pre-specified criteria . Seroconversion rates 21 days following Fluzone Quadrivalent were non-inferior to those following TIV for H3N2, B/Brisbane, and B/Florida, but not for H1N1 . The HI antibody GMT following Fluzone Quadrivalent was higher than that following TIV-1 for B/Florida but not higher than that following TIV-2 for B/Brisbane, based on pre-specified criteria . Seroconversion rates following Fluzone Quadrivalent were higher than those following TIV for the B strain not contained in each respective TIV, based on pre-specified criteria .
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What Is Fluzone Quadrivalent
Fluzone Quadrivalent is an inactivated influenza virus vaccine used for the prevention of influenza.
Influenza virus is a serious disease caused by a virus. Influenza virus can spread from one person to another through small droplets of saliva that are expelled into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can also be passed through contact with objects the infected person has touched, such as a door handle or other surfaces.
Fluzone 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 Fluzone Quadrivalent is a “killed virus” vaccine.
Fluzone 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.
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.
Becoming infected with influenza is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
What Other Drugs Will Affect Flulaval 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:
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steroid medicine
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medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders or
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medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with FluLaval Quadrivalent, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
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