Agriflu
Generic name:influenza virus vaccine
Drug class:Viral vaccines
Approval date: November 27, 2009
Company: Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Inc.
Treatment for: Prevention of Influenza
The Agriflu brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. If generic versions of this product have been approved by the FDA, there may be generic equivalents available.
FDA Approves Agriflu
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Agriflu for people ages 18 years and older to prevent disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and B.
What is Agriflu?
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.
Agriflu is used to prevent infection caused by influenza virus. The influenza virus vaccine is redeveloped each year to contain specific strains of inactivated (killed) flu virus that are recommended by public health officials for that year.
The Agriflu injectable influenza virus vaccine (flu shot) is a "killed virus" vaccine. Influenza virus vaccine is also available in a nasal spray form, which is a "live virus" vaccine.
Agriflu works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus, which helps your body to develop immunity to the disease. Agriflu will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.
Agriflu is for use in adults 18 years of age and older.
Becoming infected with influenza (commonly known as "the flu") is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year, and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
Like any vaccine, Agriflu may not provide protection from disease in every person. This vaccine will not prevent illness caused by avian flu ("bird flu").
What is the most important information I should know about Agriflu?
You can still receive a vaccine if you have a cold or fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.
Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. If you ever have to receive another influenza virus vaccine in the future, you will need to tell the doctor if the first shot caused any side effects.
Like any vaccine, influenza virus vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person. This vaccine will not prevent illness caused by avian flu ("bird flu").
Becoming infected with influenza (commonly known as "the flu") is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year, and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving Agriflu?
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