Influenza virus haemagglutinin at a glance
Class
Recombinant inactivated influenza vaccine
Purpose
Prevention of influenza disease
Administration
Injection into the upper-arm muscle by a healthcare professional
Composition
Trivalent, egg-free and non-live
Licensed age
The selected product is licensed from 9 years; national programme use may be narrower
What is Influenza virus haemagglutinin used for?
Licensed use represented by the selected product:
Active immunisation to prevent influenza disease in adults and children aged 9 years and older, in accordance with official recommendations.
How does Influenza virus haemagglutinin work?
Recombinant haemagglutinin proteins from selected seasonal influenza strains prompt the immune system to make antibodies. They cannot cause flu. Protection is strain-specific and may be incomplete when circulating viruses differ from those represented in the vaccine.
How to take Influenza virus haemagglutinin
A doctor, nurse or pharmacist injects the vaccine into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm. It must not be injected into a blood vessel or mixed with another medicine in the same syringe.
Tell the vaccinator about previous vaccine reactions, current fever, bleeding disorders, immunosuppression and other recent vaccinations.
Remain seated or lying down if prone to fainting with injections.
Influenza virus haemagglutinin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Pain or tenderness where the injection was given
- Headache
- Tiredness or malaise
- Muscle or joint pain
- Fever or chills
- Redness, swelling or bruising at the injection site
- Nausea
Get urgent medical advice
- Anaphylaxis or another severe hypersensitivity reaction
- Symptoms suggesting Guillain–Barré syndrome, such as progressive weakness, numbness, loss of reflexes or paralysis
Influenza virus haemagglutinin in pregnancy
Supemtek TIVr is an inactivated vaccine and can be used during pregnancy in accordance with official recommendations. UK guidance recommends an inactivated flu vaccine during pregnancy because influenza can cause more serious complications. Vaccine selection should follow the current programme and product information.
Influenza virus haemagglutinin while breastfeeding
Inactivated vaccines are considered compatible with breastfeeding and are not expected to harm a breastfed infant. The Supemtek TIVr product information states that excretion into milk is unknown and asks a healthcare professional to assess benefits and risks before administration.
Influenza virus haemagglutinin interactions
No formal interaction studies have been performed.
Other injectable vaccines
They may be given at the same visit when appropriate, using separate injection sites. They must not be mixed in one syringe.
Immunosuppressive medicines or treatments
They may weaken the antibody response, so vaccination may provide less protection.
Common questions about Influenza virus haemagglutinin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is Influenza virus haemagglutinin a live vaccine?
No. Supemtek TIVr contains recombinant haemagglutinin proteins rather than live influenza virus.
Can it cause flu?
No. Its recombinant antigens cannot reproduce or cause influenza infection.
Is it egg-free?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.