Flulaval (Flulaval) Drug Information: Medication Guide and Patient Information

May 27, 2012

Influenza, commonly called "the flu," is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract.
Influenza viruses are divided into three types, designated A, B, and C, with A types usually causing the most problems in humans.
Most people who get the conventional or seasonal flu recover completely in one to two weeks, but some people develop serious and potentially life-threatening medical complications, such as pneumonia.
Much of the illness and death caused by conventional or seasonal influenza can be prevented by annual influenza vaccination.
Influenza A undergoes frequent antigenic changes that require new vaccines to be developed and people to obtain a new vaccination every year. New vaccine technology is being developed.
In April 2009, a new flu virus termed novel H1N1 swine flu developed in Mexico, rapidly spread worldwide, and caused the WHO to de...

Flulaval

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Inform the vaccine recipient or guardian of the potential benefits and risks of immunization with FLULAVAL.
Emphasize, when educating vaccine recipients or guardians regarding potential side effects, that (1) FLULAVAL contains non-infectious killed viruses and cannot cause influenza and (2) FLULAVAL is intended to provide protection against illness due to influenza viruses only, and cannot provide protection against all respiratory illness.
Instruct the vaccine recipient or guardian to report any adverse events to their healthcare provider.
Inform the vaccine recipient or guardian that safety and efficacy have not been established in pregnant women. Register women who receive FLULAVAL while pregnant in the pregnancy registry by calling 1-888-452-9622.
Provide the vaccine recipient or guardian Vaccine Information Statements, which are required by the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 to be given prior to immunization. These materials are available free of charge at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website (www.cdc.gov/vaccines).
Instruct the vaccine recipient or guardian that annual revaccination is recommended.