What Is The Quad Flu Shot

Eligibility For 2022 Season Influenza Vaccines

Influenza vaccines are funded under the National Immunisation Program for the following groups due to their increased risk of complications from influenza:

• all children from 6 months to less than 5 years of age
• all adults aged 65 years and older
• pregnant women
• all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
• individuals aged 6 months and older with medical conditions which increase the risk of influenza disease complications .

All other individuals not included in the categories above can purchase the vaccine from their doctor.

In 2022, all funded influenza vaccines available will be quadrivalent vaccines including the adjuvanted influenza vaccine for adults aged 65 years and older.

Only one government-funded influenza vaccine is available for eligible people each year, with the exception of eligible children up to 9 years of age receiving an influenza vaccine for the first time. These children require and are funded for 2 doses, 4 weeks apart.

Age restrictions apply to all vaccine brands .

Important Safety Information Openclose

• You should not get FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT if you have a severe allergy to eggs or to any inactive ingredient in the vaccine have ever had a life-threatening reaction to influenza vaccinations or are 2 through 17 years old and take aspirin or medicines containing aspirin children or adolescents should not be given aspirin for 4 weeks after getting FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise
• Children under 2 years old have an increased risk of wheezing after getting FLUMIST QUADRIVALENT
• Tell your healthcare provider if you or your child are currently wheezing have a history of wheezing if under 5 years old have had Guillain-Barré syndrome have a weakened immune system or live with someone who has a severely weakened immune system have problems with your heart, kidneys, or lungs have diabetes are pregnant or nursing or are taking a medication used to treat influenza like Tamiflu®*, Relenza®*, amantadine, or rimantadine
• The most common side effects are runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and fever over 100°F

I’ve Heard There Are Different Flu Vaccines Available Which One Is Right For Me

There are several different flu vaccines, and your pharmacist or other health care provider can help find the right vaccine for you. The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older receive the flu vaccine each year. The CDC does not recommend one flu vaccine over another the most important thing is that you get a flu vaccine every year.

All flu vaccines are quadrivalent , meaning they are designed to protect against four different flu viruses. The flu shots are injections that are administered into your upper arm. The flu shots do not contain a live virus and are either inactivated or recombinant .

There is also a nasal spray. The nasal spray contains live-attenuated influenza virus and is quadrivalent. The nasal spray flu vaccine may be an option for healthy people between the ages of 2 and 49 years who aren’t pregnant or have a weakened immune system.

People who are 65 years and older have additional options. Older adults have the option of receiving either a high dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine. These flu shots are specifically formulated for seniors and in past studies, have demonstrated better protection against the flu in persons ages 65 and older.

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The Flu Shot: What You Need To Know

Getting a flu shot each year is the best way to protect against the flu, and during COVID-19, a flu shot may be even more important.

Receiving a flu vaccine reduces the chance of flu-related doctor visits and hospitalizations, which can free up health care resources for others and protect vulnerable populations during the pandemic.

Vaccination Dose And Schedule By Age1

aOne dose or 2 doses , depending on vaccination history, per the annual Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations on prevention and control of influenza with vaccines. If 2 doses, administer each 0.5-mL dose at least 4 weeks apart.

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Quadrivalent Vaccines For Seasonal Flu

A quadrivalent flu vaccine administered by nasal mist was approved by the FDA in March 2012. Fluarix Quadrivalent was approved by the FDA in December 2012.

In 2014, the Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunization published a review of quadrivalent influenza vaccines.

Starting with the 2018-2019 influenza season most of the regular-dose egg-based flu shots and all the recombinant and cell-grown flu vaccines in the United States are quadrivalent. In the 2019â2020 influenza season all regular-dose flu shots and all recombinant influenza vaccine in the United States are quadrivalent.

In November 2019, the FDA approved Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent for use in the United States starting with the 2020-2021 influenza season.

In February 2020, the FDA approved Fluad Quadrivalent for use in the United States. In July 2020, the FDA approved both Fluad and Fluad Quadrivalent for use in the United States for the 2020â2021 influenza season.

Special Consideration Regarding Egg Allergy

People with egg allergies can receive any licensed, recommended age-appropriate influenza vaccine that is otherwise appropriate. People who have a history of severe egg allergy should be vaccinated in a medical setting, supervised by a health care provider who is able to recognize and manage severe allergic reactions. Two completely egg-free flu vaccine options are available: quadrivalent recombinant vaccine and quadrivalent cell-based vaccine.

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Before You Are Given Fluad Quad

Tell your doctor if you have reacted to previous vaccination with any of the following:

• severe allergic reaction
• high temperature
• severe skin reaction at the injection site, including severe bruising

Tell your doctor if you have an infection or high temperature. Your doctor may decide to delay vaccination until the illness has passed. A mild illness, such as a cold, is not usually a reason to delay vaccination.

Tell your doctor if you have, or have had, any medical conditions, especially the following:

• Guillain-Barré Syndrome
• lowered immunity due to diseases such as some blood disorders, malaria, kidney disease requiring dialysis, HIV/AIDS or cancer
• lowered immunity due to treatment with medicines such as corticosteroids, cyclosporin or other medicines used to treat cancer

Tell your doctor if you have allergies to:

• any other medicines
• any other substances, such as latex, foods, preservatives or dyes

Your doctor will decide if you can receive Fluad® Quad.

How Effective Is The Nhs Flu Immunisation Programme

The flu vaccine works better in some years than others . Across all age groups including children, the flu vaccine prevented 15-52% of flu cases between 2015 – 2020 .

Protection from the flu virus varies for different age groups. In children aged 2-17, the flu vaccine prevented 66% of flu cases in 2016-17, 27% of flu cases in 2017-18, and 49% of flu cases in 2018-19. However, in the over 65 age group the inactivated flu vaccine worked less well than it did in other adults and children. In 2016-17, the data suggest that the inactivated flu vaccine did not work at all in people aged over 65, whilst in 2017-2018 it resulted in slightly better results in that age group. Due to the lower effectiveness of the inactivated flu vaccine in older people, a vaccine containing an adjuvant was introduced for the 2018-19 season. This is a substance that strengthens and lengthens the immune response to the vaccine and resulted in better prevention of flu in people aged 65 or over in flu seasons since 2018-19. The adjuvanted vaccine is still recommended for this age group in the 2021-22 season.

It is not understood why flu vaccines do not work so well in older adults. However, this reinforces the importance of vaccinating children and healthcare workers, both of whom can help to stop the spread of flu to older adults.

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Northern Hemisphere Influenza Season

The composition of trivalent virus vaccines for use in the 2017â2018 Northern Hemisphere influenza season recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on August 25, 2017, was:

• an A/Michigan/45/2015 pdm09âlike virus
• an A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 -like virus
• a B/Brisbane/60/2008âlike virus

In addition to these components, quadrivalent vaccines will also include a B/Phuket/3073/2013âlike virus .

In California, some emergency systems were strained by a spike in H3N2 flu cases. In addition, some areas experienced local shortages of oseltamivir. The severity of the flu season seemed somewhat comparable to the 2009â10 swine flu outbreak. A February 2018 CDC interim report estimated the vaccine effectiveness to be 25% against H3N2, 67% against H1N1, and 42% against influenza B.

Why You Need A Flu Vaccine In 2021

Experts are expecting the worst from the 2021-2022 flu season. Flu rates were unusually low last winter, in large part because most people were wearing masks, social distancing, and staying home when feeling sick to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from getting any worse. But with many people returning to society, and a good portion of them without masks, the flu season could come back with a vengeance this season. The early and strong return of RSV is one sign of this.

Without exposure to the flu last year, people may be more vulnerable than usual this season. Because of this, its crucial to get your flu shot.

If youve taken steps to prevent your kid from getting the coronavirus, youd be hypocritical not to do the same for the flu. So far, 655 children aged 17 and below have died from COVID in 2020 and 2021 combined, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . In comparison, 199 kids were reported to the CDC to have died from flu during the 2018-2019 flu season alone, and statistical modelling suggests that 434 children may have actually died from the flu that season.

So if you worried at all about your kids during the pandemic, you should make sure they get the flu shot. You should get it too, because the flu kills thousands of adults aged 18-49 each year and sends tens of thousands to the hospital . Theres very little point in avoiding getting COVID during a global pandemic just to get knocked out by the seasonal flu.

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Dose And Method Of Administration

Fluad Quad is for use in adults 65 years of age and older only. See Section 4.1 Therapeutic Indications.A single 0.5 mL dose should be administered by intramuscular injection, preferably into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm.Gently shake before use. After shaking, the normal appearance of the vaccine is a milky-white suspension.Visually inspect the contents of each pre-filled syringe for particulate matter and/or variation in appearance prior to administration. If either condition is observed, do not administer the vaccine.Fluad Quad contains no antimicrobial preservative. Use in one patient on one occasion only. Discard any residue.Annual revaccination is recommended because immunity declines during the year after vaccination and circulating strains of influenza virus change from year to year.Persons with a history of egg allergy can receive a full dose of vaccine in any immunisation setting .

What Are The Flu Vaccine Side Effects

Common flu shot reactions include redness, soreness, or swelling in the area where the shot was administered. The nasal spray could cause different side effects, such as runny nose, sore throat, or a cough. These side effects are usually mild and short-lived.

Some people may also develop a low-grade fever or body aches. Similar to the other side effects, these symptoms are usually mild and quickly go away on their own. While some of these side effects may feel flu-like, it’s important to remember that flu vaccines will not make you sick with the flu.

Allergic reactions to the flu shot are rare.

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Safety And Side Effects

The inactivated flu vaccine does not contain the live virus and cannot cause flu. Flu vaccines have a very good safety record. The most commonly reported side effects of flu vaccines are:

• pain, swelling, bruising, hardness or redness at the injection site
• slightly raised temperature
• tiredness
• feeling generally unwell

A higher rate of these common side effects has been reported with Fluad, an adjuvanted trivalent vaccine which was recommended for people aged 65 and over in previous years. This year, Fluad Tetra is being offered to people aged over 65, which also uses an adjuvant. Side effects usually last 1-2 days.

There are several different makes of flu vaccine available each year. For more information on side effects, ask for the Patient Information Leaflet for the vaccine you are offered. Additional information about vaccine side effects, anaphylaxis and adverse reactions can be found here.

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.

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What Are The Side Effects

People may experience cold and flu-like symptoms for up to 2448 hours after getting the vaccine. This shows the bodys immune response is kicking in and the vaccine is working.You can take over-the-counter pain medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve these symptoms.

Other common side effects may include local injection site reactions such as redness, mild swelling and tenderness. This should subside within 48 hours without any treatment. Applying ice or a cold pack can help.

Some people may develop more severe reactions, including anaphylaxis in extremely rare circumstances. This is also why your doctor or pharmacist recommends waiting on-site for 15 minutes after vaccination for monitoring.

If youve had a severe reaction to any vaccine in the past, its important to tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Adults Aged 18 Years And Older

In a clinical trial in subjects aged 18 years and older, FLULAVAL QUADRIVALENT exhibited immunogenicity noninferior to two trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine fomulations, each containing an influenza type B strain that corresponded to one of the two type B viruses in FLULAVAL QUADRIVALENT or a type B virus of the Yamagata lineage )1

• Noninferiority based on adjusted GMTs

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Side Effects Not Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

Some side effects of influenza virus vaccine, inactivated may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• pain at the injection site

Less common

Applies to influenza virus vaccine, inactivated: intradermal suspension, intramuscular solution, intramuscular suspension, nasal spray

Where Can I Get A Flu Shot

Veterans enrolled in VA health care can get a flu shot at their nearest VA health care facility. Veterans can also choose from more than 60,000 community locations to get their no-cost flu shot. Visit to learn more about how to find a current in-network location near you. If you are not enrolled in VA health care, find out if you qualify.

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Why Should Older Adults Get The Flu Shot

The flu shot is especially important for older adults because they tend to have weaker immune systems.

When the immune system isnt strong, it becomes harder for the body to fight off infections. Likewise, a weaker immune system can lead to flu-related complications.

Secondary infections that can develop with the flu include:

• ear infections
• bronchitis
• pneumonia

People ages 65 and older are at higher risk for serious complications. In fact, its estimated that as many as 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths occur in people ages 65 and older. Plus, up to 70 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations occur in people ages 65 and older.

If you become ill after getting a vaccination, a flu shot may lessen the severity of symptoms of the illness.

Protecting yourself from the flu is increasingly important while COVID-19 is a factor.

When You Must Not Be Given It

Do not have Fluad® Quad if you have severe allergy to:

• any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
• any other influenza vaccines

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction may include:

• shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
• skin rash, itching or hives

A minor illness such as a cold should not be a problem but talk to your doctor about this if being vaccinated.

Do not have Fluad® Quad if you are under 65. Fluad® Quad is for use in persons 65 years and older only.

Do not have Fluad® Quad after the expiry date printed on the pack.

Do not have Fluad® Quad if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

If you are not sure whether you should have Fluad® Quad, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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