Influenza Virus Vaccine

Influenza virus vaccine trivalent, recombinant is used for active immunization against influenza virus subtypes A and B contained in the vaccine for adults aged 18 years and older.

Influenza virus vaccine trivalent, recombinant is available under the following different brand names: Flublok.

Dosages of Influenza Virus Vaccine Trivalent, Recombinant:

Dosage Forms and Strengths

Intramuscular (IM) solution

• 0.5mL/vial

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Influenza Prophylaxis

• Indicated for active immunization against influenza virus subtypes A and B contained in the vaccine for adults aged 18 years and older
• 0.5 mL IM x1/season

Dosing Considerations

Contents for 2019-2020 northern hemisphere season:

• A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus (New for 2019-2020)
• A/Kansas/14/2017 (H3N2)-like virus (New for 2019-2020)
• B/Colorado/06/2017-like virus (B/Victoria/2/87 lineage) (no change from last season)

Egg allergy

• The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends FluBlok for vaccination of persons aged 18 through 49 years with egg allergy of any severity
• FluBlok does not use the influenza virus or chicken eggs in its manufacturing process
• Children under 18 years: Safety and efficacy not established

Common side effects of influenza virus vaccine trivalent, recombinant include:

• Injection site pain
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle pain
• Nausea
• Joint pain
• Injection site redness
• Injection site swelling/bruising
• Chills

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

• Severe interactions of influenza virus vaccine trivalent, recombinant include:
  • ustekinumab
• Serious interactions of influenza virus vaccine trivalent, recombinant include:
  • brodalumab
  • ixekizumab
  • secukinumab
  • siponimod
• Influenza virus vaccine trivalent, recombinant has moderate interactions with at least 47 different drugs.
• Mild interactions of influenza virus vaccine trivalent, recombinant include:
  • ethotoin
  • fosphenytoin
  • phenytoin

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Warnings

• This medication contains the influenza virus vaccine trivalent, recombinant. Do not take Flublok if you are allergic to influenza virus vaccine trivalent, recombinant or any ingredients contained in this drug.
• Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Severe hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any component of the vaccine

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information available

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Influenza Virus Vaccine Trivalent, Recombinant?”

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Influenza Virus Vaccine Trivalent, Recombinant?”

Cautions

• The expected immune response may not be obtained in immunocompromised individuals, including those receiving immunosuppressive therapy
• Influenza vaccine may not protect all susceptible individuals
• Guillain-Barre syndrome has been reported within 6 weeks of receipt of influenza vaccines

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Manufacturers are maintaining prospective pregnancy exposure registries to collect data on pregnancy outcomes following vaccination with influenza virus vaccine trivalent, recombinant. Pregnant women are at increased risk of complications associated with influenza infection compared with nonpregnant women. The Centers for Disease Control (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. Consult your doctor.
• It is unknown if the Influenza virus vaccine trivalent, recombinant is distributed in human breast milk. Consider the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding along with the mother’s clinical need for Influenza virus vaccine trivalent, recombinant, and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from the drug or the underlying maternal condition.