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FLUCELVAX® QUAD

FLUCELVAX® QUAD IS INDICATED TO BE USED IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN 6 MONTHS AND OLDER TO PREVENT INFLUENZA.


Visit flucelvax.ca for more information!

READ THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU ARE GIVEN FLUCELVAX® QUAD.


This leaflet is a summary and will not tell you everything about this vaccine. Talk to your healthcare professional and see if FLUCELVAX® QUAD is right for you.

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WHAT IS FLUCELVAX® QUAD USED FOR?


FLUCELVAX® QUAD is used in adults and children aged 6 months and older to prevent influenza.

Influenza, often called "the flu", is caused by infection with specific influenza viruses. New types of influenza viruses can appear each year. FLUCELVAX® QUAD vaccine contains fragments of four different types of influenza virus. Each year the World Health Organization Decides which four strains of viruses are most suitable to include in the vaccine.

You cannot catch influenza from the vaccine, as the virus in the vaccine has been killed and split into small non-infectious particles.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) encourages annual influenza vaccination for all Canadians who are able to have the vaccine.

Vaccination against influenza is recommended every year, for anyone wanting to lower their chance of catching influenza. FLUCELVAX® QUAD has been used by many people to lower their risk of catching the flu.

HOW DOES FLUCELVAX® QUAD WORK?


FLUCELVAX® QUAD vaccine works by helping your body protect itself against infection by the types of influenza viruses that are in the vaccine. The vaccine stimulates the body to make substances called antibodies. Antibodies fight the influenza virus. If you have been vaccinated, when you come into contact with the influenza viruses in the vaccine, your body is usually able to quickly destroy the virus, which may prevent you from getting influenza.

Your body takes a few weeks after vaccination to fully develop effective protection against the influenza virus.

Protection against influenza generally requires one dose of FLUCELVAX® QUAD vaccine. Some people including children who have not received influenza vaccination before may require two doses.

As with all vaccines, 100% protection cannot be guaranteed.

FLUCELVAX® QUAD is not made using eggs; there are no egg proteins in the vaccine.


The syringe and vial components do not contain latex. FLUCELVAX® QUAD is considered safe for use in persons with latex allergies.


FLUCELVAX® QUAD pre-filled syringes contain no preservative or antibiotics. FLUCELVAX® QUAD multi-dose vial formulation contains a preservative, but does not contain any antibiotics.

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To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take FLUCELVAX® QUAD. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you or your child:

  • Have or have had a reaction to vaccination with any ofthe following:
    • -severe allergic reaction
    • -difficulty breathing
    • -swelling of the throat
    • -syncope (fainting)
    • -fainting or collapse
    • -fits or convulsions
    • -high temperature (greater than 38.5°C)
    • -severe skin reaction atthe injection site, includingsevere bruising
  • Have an infection or temperature higher than 38.5°C
    Your doctor may decide to delay vaccination until the illnesshas passed. A minor illness such as a cold is not usually areason to delay vaccination.
  • Have low immunity due to treatment with certain medicines
  • Have or have had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
    An illness which affects the nervous system and causes paralysis.
  • Have allergies to other medicines or substances
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding
    Your healthcare professional will be able to discuss thepotential risks and benefits of having FLUCELVAX® QUADwhile you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

TELL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL ABOUT ALL THE MEDICINES YOU TAKE, INCLUDING ANY DRUGS, VITAMINS, MINERALS, NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS OR ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES.

HOW FLUCELVAX® QUAD IS GIVEN:

FLUCELVAX® QUAD is given as an injection into a muscle, usually in the upper arm.

USUAL DOSE:

FLUCELVAX® QUAD is given once every year as follows:

  • Adults and children 9 years and over: one injection of 0.5 mL.

For children 6 months to less than 9 years old who are receiving influenza vaccine for the first time, it is recommended that a follow-up (booster) dose of FLUCELVAX® QUAD is given 4 weeks after the first dose.

If the follow-up dose is missed, talk to your healthcare professional and arrange another visit as soon as possible.

OVERDOSE:

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN TOO MANY DOSES OF FLUCELVAX® QUAD OR HAVE BEEN GIVEN IT BY MISTAKE, CONTACT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL, HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OR REGIONAL POISON CONTROL CENTRE IMMEDIATELY, EVEN IF THERE ARE NO SYMPTOMS.

WHAT ARE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS FROM USING FLUCELVAX® QUAD?

These are not all the possible side effects you may experience when taking FLUCELVAX® QUAD. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.

The following are common or very common side effects of FLUCELVAX® QUAD. Most of these side effects are mild and do not last long. Tell your doctor if you or your child have side effects that bother you:

  • Injection-site pain, reddening,hardening or swelling
  • Headache
  • Muscle or joint pain
  • Tiredness
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Bruising
  • Shivering

Younger children (less than 6 years of age) may experience the following common or very common side effects:

  • Injection site tenderness
  • Irritability
  • Sleepiness
  • Change of eating habits
  • Fever

If you experience any of the rare serious side effects mentioned below, talk to your healthcare professional:

  • Anaphylaxis: Difficulty breathing, dizziness, a weak and rapid pulse, skin rash.
  • Allergic reaction: Rash, itching or hives on the skin, swelling of the face, lips,tongue, or other parts of the body.

IF YOU HAVE A TROUBLESOME SYMPTOM OR SIDE EFFECT THAT IS NOT LISTED HERE OR BECOMES BAD ENOUGH TO INTERFERE WITH YOUR DAILY ACTIVITIES, TALK TO YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL.

REPORTING
SUSPECTED
SIDE EFFECTS

Should you experience a side effect following immunization, please report it to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

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

If you want more information about FLUCELVAX® QUAD:

  • Talk to your healthcare professional.
  • Find the full Product Monograph thatis prepared for healthcare professionalsand includes this Patient MedicationInformation by visiting the HealthCanada website, the manufacturer’swebsite (cslseqirus.ca), or by calling 1-855-358-8966.
  • Visit flucelvax.ca.

The Drug Identification Number (DIN) for FLUCELVAX® QUAD 02494248. Your insurance company may ask for this number.


References: 1. FLUCELVAX® QUAD Product Monograph. Jan 23, 2023 2. WHO. Influenza: Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2020 2021 Northern Hemisphere influenza season. February 28, 2020. https://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/recommendations/2020-21_north/en/ (accessed March 3, 2020).

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FLUCELVAX® QUAD IS INDICATED TO BE USED IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN 6 MONTHS AND OLDER TO PREVENT INFLUENZA.


Visit flucelvax.ca for even more information!

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