Fluzone

Fluzone is a vaccine indicated for active immunization for the prevention of influenza disease caused by influenza A subtype viruses and type B virus contained in the vaccine. Fluzone is approved for use in persons 6 months of age and older.

This medication comes as a shot and is injected into the muscle each year. 

Common side effects of Fluzone vaccine include soreness, pain, and swelling at the injection site.

Fluzone is a vaccine that helps protect against influenza illness (flu).

Fluzone vaccine is for people who are 6 months of age and older. Vaccination with Fluzone vaccine may not protect all people who receive the vaccine.

This vaccine may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

The recommened dose for Fluzone is:

• 6 months through 8 years: One or two doses of Fluzone. If 2 doses are required, they will be given at least 1 month apart. (1 or 2 doses depends on vaccination history as per Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices annual recommendations on prevention and control of influenza with vaccines)
• 9 years and older: One dose of Fluzone

Serious side effects have been reported with Fluzone, including the following:

• Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you have a history of GBS or any neurologic disorder including seizures. If Guillain-Barré syndrome has occurred within 6 weeks of receiving an influenza vaccine in the past, your doctor will determine if you should receive Fluzone. Some people with a history of GBS should not get this vaccine. This should be discussed with your doctor.

Do not receive Fluzone vaccine if you:

• ever had a severe allergic reaction to eggs or egg products.
• ever had a severe allergic reaction after getting any flu vaccine
• are younger than 6 months of age.

Serious side effects have been reported with Fluzone. See the “Fluzone Precautions” section.

The most common side effects of Fluzone vaccine are:

• pain
• redness 
• swelling
• bruising
• hardness where you got the shot
• muscle aches
• tiredness
• headache
• fever

These are not all of the possible side effects of Fluzone vaccine.

You can ask your healthcare provider for a list of other side effects that is available to healthcare professionals.

Call your healthcare provider for advice about any side effects that concern you. You may report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967.

No drug interactions have been reported by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Fluzone falls into category C. No studies have been done in animals. It is also not known whether Fluzone can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Fluzone should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

It is not known whether Fluzone is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Fluzone is administered to a nursing woman