influenza vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated): clinical use

Prescribing considerations

• Confirm age eligibility and select the vaccine according to current official recommendations.
• Defer during active febrile illness.
• Assess allergy history, immunosuppression, thrombocytopenia, bleeding disorders and susceptibility to injection-related syncope.
• Ensure anaphylaxis treatment and appropriate supervision are immediately available.
• Record the product name and batch number for traceability.

Contraindications and cautions

• Hypersensitivity to the active substance, an excipient or possible trace residues including beta-propiolactone, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide or polysorbate 80.

Monitoring

• Observe for immediate hypersensitivity and manage promptly.
• Prevent injury associated with injection-related syncope.
• Assess persistent, severe or neurological symptoms.
• Report suspected adverse reactions through the Yellow Card Scheme.

Clinical pharmacology

Inactivated haemagglutinin and neuraminidase surface antigens induce strain-directed humoral antibodies, including neutralising antibodies against haemagglutinin. Pharmacokinetic assessment is not applicable.

Formulation and product differences

• The selected formulation is a trivalent, cell-cultured suspension for intramuscular injection in a pre-filled syringe.
• It contains antigens from two influenza A strains and one influenza B strain selected for the relevant northern-hemisphere season.
• It is propagated in MDCK cells; egg protein is not listed in its composition or possible trace residues.
• It is non-live and does not share the administration route of live nasal influenza vaccine.