flumist 2006-2007

This medication is a vaccine against influenza (flu) virus. It is also called the seasonal flu vaccine. The vaccine works by helping the body produce immunity (protection) that will prevent you from getting the flu or lessen the seriousness of the infection. As with any vaccine, it may not fully protect everyone who receives it. Since different types of flu viruses cause infection every flu season, usually a new vaccine is produced and given for each flu season. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine provides protection against H1N1 (pandemic) influenza. A separate vaccine is not needed this year. People who received the 2009 H1N1 pandemic vaccine shot should still get the regular seasonal flu vaccine. This form of the vaccine is given through the nose and is recommended for healthy children and adults, aged 2 to 49 years. This form of the vaccine is not recommended for children younger than 2 years old, or for children aged 2 to 4 years with a history of repeated wheezing. A flu vaccine that is given by injection is recommended for these children and for adults older than 49. Consult your doctor for more details.

This vaccine is usually given once for each flu season. If the doctor prescribes a second dose (for a first vaccination in a child aged 2 through 8 years), and the child misses the second dose, contact the doctor to set up a new appointment.

Read the Vaccine Information Statement available from your health care provider before receiving the vaccine. If you have any questions, consult your health care provider. If this vaccine is the first flu vaccination of a child aged 2 through 8 years, the child should receive a second dose (usually at least 1 month after the first dose). If a child in this age group has received this vaccine in a previous flu season, only one dose is given. Patients aged 9 years and older (including adults) should receive only one dose for each flu season. To receive this vaccine, sit or stand upright with your head tilted back. A health care professional will spray the medication into each nostril, one at a time.

See also Precautions section. 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 or pharmacist first. Avoid taking certain drugs that fight flu virus (e.g., amantadine, oseltamivir, rimantadine) when receiving this vaccine. If you are currently taking any of these drugs, you should not receive this vaccine until at least 48 hours after stopping treatment. Do not take any of these drugs until at least 2 weeks after receiving this vaccine. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: other vaccines, other products applied in the nose, drugs that weaken the immune system (e.g., cyclosporine, tacrolimus, certain anti-cancer drugs, corticosteroids such as prednisone). 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.

Keep all medical and laboratory appointments.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Before receiving this vaccine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to eggs; or if you have previously had a severe allergic reaction to flu vaccine; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as gentamicin, gelatin, arginine), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before receiving this vaccine, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: breathing problems (e.g., asthma, wheezing, chronic lung disease), current infection/fever, diabetes, history of Guillain-Barre syndrome, immune system problems (e.g., due to cancer treatment, HIV infection), kidney disease. This vaccine contains a weakened form of the flu virus. After receiving the vaccine, you may be able to infect others with flu for up to 3 weeks. Rarely, infections may occur in people in close contact with someone who has received this vaccine. Caution is advised if you have regular close contact with family/household members with weakened immune systems (e.g., due to cancer). Children aged 2 to 17 years who are taking aspirin should not receive this vaccine due to the risk for developing Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious condition. Consult the doctor for details. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Not applicable. This vaccine is given in a doctor's office or clinic and will not be stored at home.

Cough, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, fever, headache, chills, or tiredness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If your doctor has directed you to receive this vaccine, remember that he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US, you may report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967. In Canada, you may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.