Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live (Nasal Route)

Drug Information provided by: Micromedex

ARTICLE SECTIONS

US Brand Names

FluMist

Description

Influenza virus vaccine is used to prevent infection by the influenza viruses. The vaccine works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the disease .

There are many kinds of influenza viruses, but not all will cause problems in any given year. Therefore, before the influenza vaccine is produced each year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. and Canadian Public Health Services decide which viruses will most likely cause influenza infections for that year. The antigens, which are substances that cause protective antibodies to be formed, for these viruses are included in the influenza vaccine. Usually, the U.S. and Canada use the same influenza vaccine; however, they are not required to do so.

It is necessary to receive an influenza vaccine each year, since influenza infections are usually caused by different kinds of viruses and the protection gained by the vaccine lasts less than a year.

Influenza is a virus infection of the throat, bronchial tubes, and lungs. Influenza infection causes fever, chills, cough, headache, muscle aches, and pains in your back, arms, and legs. In addition, adults and children weakened by other diseases or medical conditions, and persons 50 years of age and over, even if they are healthy, may get a much more serious illness that may have to be treated in a hospital. Each year thousands of people die as a result of an influenza infection.

The best way to help prevent influenza infections is to get an influenza vaccination each year, usually in early November. Immunization (getting a vaccine) against influenza is approved for infants 6 months of age and over, all children, and all adults.

Influenza virus vaccine may not protect all persons given the vaccine.

This vaccine is to be administered only by or under the supervision of your doctor or other health care professional .

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

Solution

Before Using

In deciding to use a vaccine, the risks of taking the vaccine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this vaccine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of nasal influenza virus vaccine in children up to 2 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established .

Geriatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of nasal influenza virus vaccine in adults 50 years of age and older. Safety and efficacy have not been established .

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breastfeeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Receiving this vaccine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Certolizumab Pegol
Rilonacept

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this vaccine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Allergic reaction, history of, to:
- Eggs or egg products or
- Gentamicin (Garamycin®) or
- Gelatin or
- Arginine (an amino acid)—Should not use in patients with these conditions .

Asthma (severe) or wheezing—May make these conditions worse .

Guillain-Barré syndrome, history of—May cause the symptoms of this condition to return .

Immune deficiency diseases such as:
- Agammaglobulinemia or
- Cancer or
- Human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) or
- Immunodeficiency or
- Leukemia or
- Lymphoma or
- Thymus gland problems—Should not use in patients with these conditions .

Severe illness with fever—Should not be given when a fever is present. Your doctor will decide when you are well enough to get your influenza virus vaccine .

Proper Use

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this vaccine. This vaccine is given as a nasal spray .

Use the nasal spray only in the nose. Do not get any of it in your eyes or on your skin. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away .

Before using the nasal spray, gently blow your nose to clear the nostrils .

Children who are 2 to 8 years old might need a second dose of the vaccine .

Precautions

It is very important that your child return to your doctor's office at the right time for the second dose. Be sure to notify your doctor of any side effects that occur after you receive this vaccine .

You should not receive this vaccine if you have had an allergic reaction to eggs, egg products, gentamicin (Garamycin®), gelatin, or arginine (an amino acid) .

This vaccine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, swelling of the tongue and throat, or trouble breathing after you get the injection .

This vaccine should not be given to children and teenagers (2 to 17 years of age) who are also using aspirin or any medicine that contains aspirin .

The nasal mist vaccine (Flumist®) contains a live virus. Avoid contact with people who are sick or at increased risk of getting the infection after you receive this vaccine. Talk to your doctor about this if you have concerns .

This vaccine will not treat flu symptoms if you already have the virus .

Side Effects

In 1976, a number of people who received the “swine flu” influenza vaccine developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), which is a disease that may cause paralysis. Most of these people were over 25 years of age. Although only 10 out of every one million people who received the vaccine actually developed GBS, this number was 6 times higher than would normally have been expected. Most of the people who got GBS recovered completely.

It is assumed that the “swine flu” virus included in the 1976 vaccine caused the problem, but this has not been proven. Since that time, the “swine flu” virus has not been used in influenza vaccines, and there has been no recurrence of GBS that was associated with influenza vaccinations.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

Difficulty with breathing or swallowing
Hives
Itching, especially of the feet or hands
Reddening of the skin, especially around the ears
Swelling of the eyes, face, or inside of the nose
Unusual tiredness or weakness (sudden and severe)

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common