Afluria
Generic name:influenza virus vaccine (injection) [ in-floo-ENZ-a-VYE-rus-VAK-seen ]
Brand names: Afluria, Afluria Quadrivalent
Drug class:Viral vaccines
What is Afluria ?
Afluria is a brand of influenza virus vaccine (injectable).
Afluria (influenza virus vaccine) is used to prevent infection caused by influenza virus. The vaccine is redeveloped each year to contain specific strains of inactivated (killed) flu virus that are recommended by public health officials for that year.
Influenza virus (commonly known as "the flu") 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.
Afluria vaccine (flu shot) is a "killed virus" vaccine. Afluria works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus, which helps your body to develop immunity to the disease. Afluria vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.
Afluria 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 Afluria vaccine. Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year, and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. However, like any medicine, Afluria can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
Like any vaccine, Afluria may not provide protection from disease in every person. Afluria will not prevent illness caused by avian flu ("bird flu").
Warnings
The injectable Afluria (flu shot) is a "killed virus" vaccine. Influenza virus vaccine is also available in a nasal spray form, which is a "live virus" vaccine. This medication guide addresses only the injectable form of this 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 Afluria.
Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving Afluria. If you ever need to receive Afluria in the future, you will need to tell your doctor if the previous shot caused any side effects.
Like any vaccine, Afluria may not provide protection from disease in every person. Afluria will not prevent illness caused by avian flu ("bird flu").
Influenza virus injectable (killed virus) vaccine will not cause you to become ill with the flu virus that it contains. However, you may have flu-like symptoms at any time during flu season that may be caused by other strains of influenza virus.
Becoming infected with influenza is much more dangerous to your health than receiving Afluria. However, like any medicine, Afluria can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
