Fluad
Generic name:influenza virus vaccine (injection) [ IN-floo-EN-za-VYE-rus-VAK-seen ]
Brand names: Fluad, Fluad Quadrivalent
Drug class:Viral vaccines
What is Fluad?
Fluad is an inactivated influenza virus vaccine used for the prevention of influenza.
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.
Fluad 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.
The injectable Fluad (flu shot) is a "killed virus" vaccine.
Fluad 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.
Fluad is for use in adults who are at least 65 years old.
Becoming infected with influenza is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year, and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
Like any vaccine, Fluad may not provide protection from disease in every person. This vaccine will not prevent illness caused by avian flu ("bird flu").
Warnings
The injectable Fluad (flu shot) is a "killed virus" vaccine.
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.
Before taking this medicine
You may not be able to receive this vaccine if you are allergic to eggs, or if you have:
a history of severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine; or
a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome (within 6 weeks after receiving a flu vaccine).
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
bleeding problems;
a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain (or if this was a reaction to a previous vaccine);
a weak immune system caused by disease, bone marrow transplant, or by using certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments; or
an allergy to latex.
You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. If you have a severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.
The Centers fo...
