influenza vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated) at a glance
Medicine class
Inactivated influenza vaccine for active immunisation.
Licensed use
Prevention of influenza in adults and children from 6 months of age.
Administration
Intramuscular injection into the upper arm or, in young children, the thigh.
Vaccine type
Cell-cultured, trivalent and non-live.
What is influenza vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated) used for?
Its licensed use is prevention of influenza caused by strains represented in the vaccine, according to official recommendations.
Seasonal influenza prevention in eligible adults.
Seasonal influenza prevention in eligible children from 6 months of age.
How does influenza vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated) work?
Inactivated influenza surface antigens stimulate antibodies that can neutralise corresponding viruses. Protection is strain-specific, may not develop in everyone and can be reduced by immunosuppression.
How to take influenza vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated)
A trained healthcare professional gives this vaccine by intramuscular injection, usually into the upper arm. The outer thigh may be used in young children with insufficient upper-arm muscle. Tell the vaccinator about allergies, fever, bleeding disorders, immunosuppression or previous fainting with injections.
Do not inject intravenously, subcutaneously or intradermally.
Do not mix with another vaccine in the same syringe.
Postpone vaccination during a febrile illness until the fever resolves.
influenza vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated) side effects
Common or expected effects
- Injection-site pain, redness, firmness or bruising
- Headache, tiredness or muscle aches
- Chills, joint pain or reduced appetite
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Fever, irritability, sleepiness or altered eating in younger children
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe immediate allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis
- Extensive swelling of the injected limb
- Progressive tingling or weakness consistent with possible Guillain–Barré syndrome
influenza vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated) in pregnancy
This inactivated vaccine can be given at any stage of pregnancy. Influenza can cause serious maternal and pregnancy complications, while maternal antibodies may provide some early protection to the baby.
influenza vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated) while breastfeeding
It may be given while breastfeeding. Effects in a breastfed infant are not anticipated, and specialist guidance considers inactivated vaccines compatible with breastfeeding.
influenza vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated) interactions
Important medicine interactions are limited, but other vaccines and treatments affecting immunity may influence administration or response.
Other vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines
They may be given at the same visit using separate injection sites, preferably on different limbs. Reactions may be more noticeable.
Immunosuppressive medicines, chemotherapy or immunomodulators
Treatment-related immunosuppression may reduce the antibody response and resulting protection.
Common questions about influenza vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated)
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can it give me flu?
No. It contains no live influenza virus and cannot cause influenza, although temporary aches, fever or injection-site soreness can occur.
Does it prevent every case of flu?
No. It targets represented strains, and not everyone develops a protective response.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.