What is influenza virus vaccine (nasal)?
Influenza virus (commonly known as "the flu") is a serious disease caused by a virus. Influenza
virus can spread from one person to another through small droplets of saliva that are expelled into the
air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can also be passed through contact with
objects the infected person has touched, such as a door handle or other surfaces.
Nasal influenza virus vaccine is used to prevent infection caused by influenza virus. The vaccine
is redeveloped each year to contain specific strains of activated (live) flu virus that are recommended by
public health officials for that year.
The nasal influenza virus vaccine is a "live virus" vaccine. Influenza virus vaccine is also
available in an injectable form, which is a "killed virus" vaccine.
Influenza virus vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus, which helps your
body to develop immunity to the disease. Influenza virus vaccine will not treat an active infection that
has already developed in the body.
Nasal influenza virus vaccine is for use in children and adults, between the ages of 2 and 49
years old.
Becoming infected with influenza (commonly known as "the flu") is much more dangerous to
your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Influenza causes thousands of deaths each
year, and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side
effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
Like any vaccine, influenza virus vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every
person.
This vaccine will not prevent illness caused by avian flu ("bird flu").
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking influenza virus vaccine (nasal)?
Do not receive this vaccine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a flu vaccine, or if
you have:
-
a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome (especially if you had it within
6 weeks after having a flu vaccine);
-
a weak immune system caused by disease (such as cancer,
HIV, or AIDS), or by taking certain medicines such as steroids;
-
if someone in your household has a weak immune system;
-
if you are under 18 years old and have recently taken
aspirin or other similar medicines such as Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and
others; or
-
if you are allergic to chicken or egg products.
Before receiving nasal influenza virus vaccine, tell your doctor if you are
allergic to any drugs, or:
-
asthma or other lung disorder;
-
a history of seizures;
-
a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain (or if
this was a reaction to a previous vaccine);
-
a weak immune system caused by disease, bone marrow
transplant, or by using certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments; or
-
if you have used a flu medication such as oseltamivir
(Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) within the past 48 hours.
You can still receive a vaccine if you have a cold or fever. In the case of a
more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this
vaccine.
Vaccines may be harmful to an unborn baby and generally should not be given to a
pregnant woman. However, not vaccinating the mother could be more harmful to the baby if the
mother becomes infected with a disease that this vaccine could prevent. Your doctor will decide
whether you should receive this vaccine, especially if you have a high risk of infection with influenza.
It is not known whether nasal influenza virus vaccine passes into breast milk or if it could
harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
This vaccine should not be given to anyone younger than 2 or older than 49 years of age.
How should I take influenza virus vaccine (nasal)?
This vaccine is given as a nasal spray into each nostril. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare
provider will give you this vaccine.
You should receive a flu vaccine every year. Your immunity will gradually decrease over the 12
months after you receive the influenza virus vaccine. Children receiving this vaccine may need a repeat
dose two months after receiving the first vaccine.
The influenza virus vaccine is usually given in October or November. Some people may need
to have their vaccines earlier or later. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Your doctor may recommend treating fever and pain with an aspirin-free pain reliever such as
acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and others) when the vaccine is given and for the
next 24 hours. Follow the label directions or your doctor's instructions about how much of this
medicine to take.
It is especially important to prevent fever from occurring if you have a seizure disorder such as
epilepsy.
What happens if I miss a dose of influenza virus vaccine (nasal)?
Since influenza virus vaccine is usually given only one time per year, you will most likely not be
on a dosing schedule. Call your doctor if you forget to receive your yearly vaccination in October or
November.
If your child misses a booster dose of this vaccine, call your doctor for instructions.
Where can I get more information about influenza virus vaccine (nasal)?
Your pharmacist has information about influenza virus vaccine (nasal) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of influenza virus vaccine (nasal)?
Nasal influenza virus (live virus) vaccine may cause you to have mild flu-like symptoms.
However, you may have flu-like symptoms at any time during flu season that may be caused by strains
of influenza virus that are not contained in the vaccine.
You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after
the first dose.
Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. If you ever
need to receive another nasal influenza virus vaccine in the future, you will need to tell the doctor if the
first vaccine caused any side effects.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
severe weakness or unusual feeling in your arms and legs (may
occur 2 to 4 weeks after you receive the vaccine); or
-
high fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.
Less serious side effects include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about influenza virus vaccine (nasal)?
The nasal influenza virus vaccine is a "live virus" vaccine. Influenza virus vaccine is also
available in an injectable form, which is a "killed virus" vaccine. This medication guide addresses only
the nasal spray form of this vaccine.
For at least 21 days after receiving nasal influenza virus vaccine, avoid close contact with
anyone who has a weak immune system caused by disease (such as cancer, HIV, or AIDS), or by
certain medicines such as steroids, cancer chemotherapy, or radiation treatment. A person with a weak
immune system can become ill if they have close contact with you after you have recently received a an
influenza vaccine.
You can still receive a vaccine if you have a cold or fever. In the case of a more severe illness
with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.
Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. If you ever
have to receive another influenza virus vaccine in the future, you will need to tell the doctor if the first
vaccine caused any side effects.
Like any vaccine, influenza virus vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every
person.
This vaccine will not prevent illness caused by avian flu ("bird flu").
Becoming infected with influenza (commonly known as "the flu") is much more dangerous to
your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Influenza causes thousands of deaths each
year, and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side
effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
What should I avoid while taking influenza virus vaccine (nasal)?
For at least 21 days after receiving nasal influenza virus vaccine, avoid close contact with
anyone who has a weak immune system caused by disease (such as cancer, HIV, or AIDS), or by
certain medicines such as steroids, cancer chemotherapy, or radiation treatment. A person with a weak
immune system can become ill if they have close contact with you after you have recently received a an
influenza vaccine.
For at least 2 weeks after receiving this vaccine, avoid using antiviral medications that are
normally used to treat flu symptoms, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza).
What other drugs will affect influenza virus vaccine (nasal)?
Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor about all other vaccines you have recently
received.
Also tell the doctor if you have recently received drugs or treatments that can weaken the
immune system, including:
-
an oral, nasal, inhaled, or injectable steroid medicine;
-
medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or
other autoimmune disorders, such as azathioprine (Imuran), efalizumab (Raptiva), etanercept
(Enbrel), leflunomide (Arava), and others; or
-
medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection,
such as basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf), muromonab-CD3
(Orthoclone), mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can affect this
vaccine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you have
received. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do
not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of influenza virus vaccine (nasal)?
