Fluad Vaccine

Get FLUAD^® to help prevent influenza

Read this patient leaflet carefully before you are given FLUAD^®. Be aware, this leaflet is a summary and will not tell you everything about this vaccine. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

What is FLUAD^® used for?

FLUAD^® is an influenza virus vaccine for adults 65 years of age and older.

FLUAD^® contains an adjuvant*

* An adjuvant is an ingredient contained in some vaccines that helps
create an enhanced immune response to the vaccine.

How does FLUAD^® work?

Like other influenza vaccines, FLUAD^® causes the body to produce antibodies against the virus.
- This means that when your body is exposed to the flu virus, your body can defend itself. The antibodies can help stop the attacking virus.
You cannot catch influenza from the vaccine, since it only contains portions of the virus, and not the whole live virus.
Your body takes 2 to 3 weeks to produce antibodies after vaccination.
- Therefore, if you are exposed to influenza immediately before or after your vaccination, you could still develop the illness.
The vaccine will not protect you against the common cold, even though some of the symptoms are similar to influenza.
Influenza viruses change all the time, so different vaccines are made every year. To help stay protected against influenza, you need to be re-vaccinated every year before the winter season.
As with any vaccine, immunization with FLUAD^® may not protect 100% of individuals against influenza disease.

It is particularly important for some groups of people to be vaccinated.

These include people with certain medical conditions, elderly people, people who are likely to be exposed to the infection and people on certain medications. If you are in doubt as to whether you should be vaccinated, talk to your local healthcare professionals.

FLUAD^® follows the World Health Organization (WHO) and National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendation for vaccination for the northern hemisphere.

FLUAD^® does not contain thimerosal or any other preservative.

The syringe plunger does not contain latex and FLUAD^® is considered safe for use in persons with latex allergies.

Do not use FLUAD^® if:

You have a history of hypersensitivity to egg proteins or other components of the vaccine, or to any of the excipients
You have had a life-threatening reaction to previous influenza vaccination

If Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) has occurred within six weeks of previous influenza vaccination, the decision to give FLUAD^® should be based on careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks.

Immunocompromised patients may have a diminished immune response to FLUAD^®.

Other warnings you should know about:

BEFORE you receive FLUAD^®, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you:

Are allergic to eggs or egg-products
Are allergic to any of the following: kanamycin and neomycin sulphate, hydrocortisone, formaldehyde, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, or polysorbate 80
Have a fever, or you think you may be getting a fever
Had a serious reaction to any flu vaccine in the past
Have any known allergies
Have experienced any health problems
Are pregnant: ask your doctor for advice
Are currently on any medication (i.e., immunosuppressant, theophylline, anticoagulants such as warfarin)

FLUAD^® may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

Immunosuppressive therapies may reduce immune response to FLUAD^®.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Safety and effectiveness of FLUAD^® has not been established in pregnant women and nursing mothers.

No interaction between FLUAD^® and other vaccines or medication is known.

How to take FLUAD^®:

FLUAD^® is only to be given by injection into a muscle administered by a healthcare professional.

Usual dose:

Adults aged 65 years and over: A single dose of 0.5 mL.

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

If you think you have taken too much FLUAD^®, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control center immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

What are possible side effects from using FLUAD^®?

Occasionally people have side effects with influenza vaccines.

The most common of these are:

Fever
Feeling unwell
Shivering
Tiredness

Headache
Sweating
Muscle joint pain
Warmth

Skin reactions include redness, swelling, pain, ecchymosis (blue/ black staining of the skin) and a hardening of the skin at the injection site and itching. These reactions will normally disappear without treatment in a day or two.

Reporting suspected side effects

For the general public: Should you experience a side effect following immunization, please report it to your healthcare professional.

Should you require information related to the management of the side effect, please contact your healthcare professional. The Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada and Seqirus UK Limited cannot provide medical advice.

If you want more information about FLUAD^®:

Talk to your healthcare professional.
Find the full Product Monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals including this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website, the manufacturer's website (www.seqirus.ca), or by calling 1-855-358-8966.
Visit fluad.ca

The Drug Identification Number (DIN) for FLUAD^® is 02362384. Your insurance company may ask for this number.

For more information about FLUAD^® Visit fluad.ca

Help prevent influenza with FLUAD^®

FLUAD^® provides active immunization against influenza disease in adults 65 years of age and older.

REFERENCES: 1. FLUAD^® Product Monograph. Seqirus Canada Inc., April 8, 2022. 2. British Columbia Pharmacy Association. 2022/23 Publicly funded influenza products. 3. Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care. 2022/2023 Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP). Available at: https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/flu/uiip/ (accessed Sept. 12 2022). 4. Government of Canada. Basic immunology and vaccinology: Canadian Immunization Guide. 2020. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-1-key-immunization-information/page-14-basic-immunology-vaccinology.html (accessed April 13, 2022). 5. Centers for disease control and prevention (USA) (CDC). Adjuvants and Vaccines Questions and Concerns. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/adjuvants.html (accessed May 11, 2022).