Indications & Dose:

Vaxigrip Tetra is a vaccine. This vaccine administered to adult or child from 6 months of age

helps to protect the adult or child against influenza (flu).

When a person is given Vaxigrip Tetra the immune system (the body's natural defense system) will produce its own protection (antibodies) against the disease. When administered during pregnancy, the vaccine helps to protect the pregnant woman but also helps to protect her baby(ies) from birth to almost 6 months of age through the transmission of protection from mother to baby during pregnancy (see also Precautions and Dosage & Administration).

None of the ingredients in the vaccine can cause flu.

The use of Vaxigrip Tetra should be based on official recommendations.

Flu is a disease that can spread rapidly and is caused by different types of strains that can change every year. Due to this potential change in circulating strains on a yearly basis, as well as the duration of protection intended by the vaccine, vaccination is recommended every year. The greatest risk of catching flu is during the cold months. If the adult or child were not vaccinated in the autumn, it is still sensible to be vaccinated up until the spring since the patient runs the risk of catching flu until then. The doctor will be able to recommend the best time to be vaccinated.

Vaxigrip Tetra is intended to protect the adult or child against the four strains of virus contained in the vaccine about 2 to 3 weeks after the injection. In addition, if the adult or child is exposed to flu immediately before or after the vaccination, the adult or child could still develop the illness as the incubation period for flu is a few days.

The vaccine will not protect the adult or child against the common cold, even though some of the symptoms are similar to flu.

osage: Adults receive one 0.5 mL dose.

Use in children: Children from 6 months to 17 years of age receive one 0.5 mL dose.

If the child is less than 9 years old and has not been previously vaccinated against flu, a second dose of 0.5 mL should be given after an interval of at least 4 weeks. If the patient is pregnant, the 0.5 mL dose administered during pregnancy may protect the baby from birth to almost 6 months of age. Ask the doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How Vaxigrip Tetra is given: The doctor or nurse will administer the recommended dose of the vaccine as an injection into the muscle or under the skin.

If the adult or child receives more Vaxigrip Tetra than they should: In some cases, more than the recommended dose has been inadvertently administered.

In these cases, when side effects were reported, they were in line with what is described following the administration of the recommended dose (see Adverse Reactions).

Contraindications:

To make sure that Vaxigrip Tetra is suitable for the adult or child, it is important to tell the doctor or pharmacist if any of the following points apply to the adult or child. If there is anything the patient did not understand, ask the doctor or pharmacist to explain.

Do not use Vaxigrip Tetra: If the adult or child is allergic to: The active substances, or any of the other ingredients of this vaccine (listed in Description), or any component that may be present in very small amounts such as eggs (ovalbumin, chicken proteins), neomycin, formaldehyde or octoxinol-9.

If the adult or child has an illness with a high or moderate temperature or an acute illness, the vaccination should be postponed until after the adult or child has recovered.

Cautions:

As with all injectable vaccines, appropriate medical treatment and supervision should always be readily available in case of an anaphylactic reaction following the administration of the vaccine.

The vaccine should be allowed to reach room temperature before use.

Shake before use. Inspect visually prior to administration.

The vaccine should not be used if foreign particles are present in the suspension.

It should not be mixed with other medicinal products in the same syringe.

This vaccine is not to be injected directly into a blood vessel.

See also Dosage & Administration.

Precautions:

Interaction:

Warnings:

Adverse Effects:

Lactations:

Special Precautions:

he patient should tell the doctor before vaccination if the adult or child has: A poor immune response (immunodeficiency or taking medicines affecting the immune system); Bleeding problem or bruising easily.

The doctor will decide if the adult or child should receive the vaccine.

Fainting can occur (mostly in adolescents) following, or even before, any needle injection. Therefore, tell the doctor or nurse if the adult or child fainted with a previous injection.

As with all vaccines, Vaxigrip Tetra may not fully protect all persons who are vaccinated.

Not all babies less than 6 months of age born to pregnant women vaccinated during pregnancy may be protected.

If, for any reason, the adult or child have a blood test within a few days following a flu vaccination, please tell the doctor. This is because false positive blood test results have been observed in a few patients who had recently been vaccinated.

Vaxigrip Tetra contains potassium and sodium: This medicine contains less than 1 mmol potassium (39 mg) and less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, that is to say it is essentially "potassium-free" and "sodium-free".

Driving and using machines: Vaxigrip Tetra has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Use in Children: Vaxigrip Tetra is not recommended for use in children below 6 months of age.

Use In Pregnancy & Lactation

If the patient is pregnant or breast-feeding, think may be pregnant, ask the doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this vaccine.

Vaxigrip Tetra can be used in all stages of pregnancy.

Vaxigrip Tetra may be used during breast-feeding.

The doctor/pharmacist will be able to decide if the patient should receive Vaxigrip Tetra.

Counselling:

Side Effects Or Adverse Reactions:

Patient And Carer Advice: