Influenza vaccine inactivated (split virion)

Indications

Influenza vaccine inactivated (split virion) is used for: Vaccine is recommended for adults and children from six months and above, especially those having high risk of associated complications, such as children, senior citizens, those who are susceptible and those who are in influenza epidemic areas. The vaccine can induce body to generate immunoreaction against influenza virus and can be used for prevention of infection caused by, influenza virus.

Adult Dose

Intramuscular Adult: One dose of 0.5 ml. every year.

Child Dose

Intramuscular Children over 3 years of age: one dose of 0.5 ml. every year. Children from 6 to 36 months of age: 1 dose of 0.25 ml. every year. For Children <9 years who have not previously been vaccinated: a 2nd dose should be given after an interval of at least 4 weeks.

Renal Dose

Administration

Intramuscular injection (IM) on deltoid. This vaccine should be administered before the beginning of the influenza season or as required by the epidemiological situation. Vaccination should be repeated every year with an age-appropriate dose of vaccine of updated antigen composition.

Contra Indications

Known anaphylactic hypersensitivity reactions to egg proteins (eggs or egg products), chicken proteins, or any other component of the vaccine including traces (formaldehyde, octoxinol 9 (Triton X-100) and neomycin). Immunisation should not be performed during a febrile or acute illness.

Precautions

Since this vaccine contains traces of formaldehyde, octoxinol 9 (Triton X-100) and neomycin due to the use of these substances during production, it should be used with caution in subjects with a hypersensitivity to any of these substances. Patients with a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) with an onset related in time to influenza vaccination may be at increased risk of again developing GBS if given influenza vaccine. Use in pregnancy & lactation: Safety of use during pregnancy has not been established; benefits of vaccination should be weighed against potential risks. However, as an inactivated vaccine, it does not share the theoretical risks associated with live vaccines. It is not known if this is excreted in human milk; hence, caution should used when administering vaccine to breastfeed ing women. However, as an inactivated vaccine, it does not share the theoretical risks associated with live vaccines.

Pregnancy-Lactation

Pregnancy There are insufficient data on influenza vaccine in pregnant women to inform vaccine-associated risk Animal data No adverse effects observed on preweaning or vaccine-related fetal malformations when administered to female rabbits before pregnancy or during pregnancy Clinical considerations Pregnant women are at increased risk of complications associated with influenza infection compared with nonpregnant women The CDC recommends pregnant women be immunized with influenza vaccine by injection and not the live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV; intranasal influenza vaccine) Vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of flu-associated acute respiratory infection in pregnant women by up to 50%; immunization also confers some immunity to infants for the first several months after their birth, when they are too young to be vaccinated Lactation Unknown if distributed in human breast milk Consider the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding along with the mother’s clinical need for the drug, and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from the drug or from the underlying maternal condition

Interactions

Immunosuppressants, antineoplastics or high doses of corticosteroids may reduce response to vaccines. Increased antibody response with aldesleukin and aspirin. May possibly increase anticoagulant effects of warfarin.

Side Effects

Side effects of Influenza vaccine inactivated (split virion) : In children under 5 years of age, systemic reactions (e.g. fever, malaise, myalgia) may be more pronounced. Local Reactions: Erythema (redness), swelling, pain, ecchymosis, induration. Systemic Reactions: Fever, malaise, shivering, fatigue, headache, sweating, joint and muscular pain. These reactions usually disappear within 1-2 days without treatment. Rarely: Neuralgia, paresthesia, convulsions and transient thrombocytopenia Allergic reactions leading to shock in rare cases. Vasculitis with transient renal involvement, in very rare cases.

Mode of Action

Influenza virus vaccine inactivated promotes immunity to influenza virus by inducing specific antibody formation.