There's a New Vaccine This Flu Season

Afluria quadrivalent flu vaccine approved by FDA

(RxWiki News) There's going to be a new player in the upcoming flu season.

It's Afluria quadrivalent (influenza vaccine), which was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Afluria trivalent has been available since 2007. This drug differs from Afluria quadrivalent. 

Seqirus is offering the quadrivalent vaccine this flu season. Quadrivalent means this vaccine is active against four flu viruses. Afluria quadrivalent will protect against the influenza A (H1N1) virus, another influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus (seen with trivalent vaccines) — plus an additional B virus. 

Afluria quadrivalent is an inactivated (meaning the virus is not alive) vaccine and is indicated for those 18 years old and older. 

This vaccine is not to be given to anyone who has a known severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis, to any component of this vaccine, including egg protein, or to anyone who has had an allergic reaction to a previous dose of any flu vaccine.

This vaccine cannot give you the flu. Also, it takes at least two weeks for it to provide protection. Make sure to receive your flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available, typically before October. 

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have ever had Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Common side effects seen with this vaccine include injection-site reactions like tenderness, pain and swelling, as well as muscle aches, headaches and feelings of weakness. 

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about the best vaccine option for you for the upcoming flu season.