Influenza virus surface antigens at a glance
Medicine class
Inactivated influenza vaccine
Licensed role
Prevention of influenza in adults and children from 6 months
Administration
Injection into a muscle or deep under the skin by a healthcare professional
Vaccine type
Trivalent, egg-cultured surface-antigen vaccine
What is Influenza virus surface antigens used for?
Licensed for active immunisation to prevent influenza disease, in accordance with official seasonal recommendations.
Prevention of influenza in adults.
Prevention of influenza in children aged 6 months and over.
How does Influenza virus surface antigens work?
Inactivated haemagglutinin and neuraminidase surface antigens prompt antibody production against the included influenza strains, helping the body recognise and neutralise related viruses after exposure.
How to take Influenza virus surface antigens
A trained healthcare professional gives the vaccine by intramuscular or deep subcutaneous injection. Tell them about allergies, previous vaccine reactions, bleeding disorders, anticoagulants, immunosuppressive treatment and recent vaccines. Other vaccines given at the same appointment should use separate injection sites.
The syringe should reach room temperature, then be shaken and visually inspected before use.
The vaccine must not be injected into a blood vessel.
People prone to fainting should be seated or lying safely.
Influenza virus surface antigens side effects
Common or expected effects
- Injection-site pain, redness, swelling, bruising or firmness
- Headache, tiredness or feeling generally unwell
- Muscle or joint aches, sweating or shivering
- Fever
- In younger children: irritability, drowsiness, reduced appetite, vomiting or diarrhoea
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling, breathing difficulty, shock or collapse
- Seizures, progressive weakness, numbness, loss of balance or paralysis
- Unusual widespread bruising or bleeding
- Inflamed blood vessels, sometimes with temporary kidney problems
Influenza virus surface antigens in pregnancy
Inactivated influenza vaccines can be used at any stage of pregnancy. Seasonal flu vaccination is recommended because flu can cause more serious complications. Discuss product choice with the maternity or vaccination team if there is a history of severe allergy.
Influenza virus surface antigens while breastfeeding
This inactivated vaccine may be used while breastfeeding and is not expected to harm a breastfed infant.
Influenza virus surface antigens interactions
Important considerations involve immune response, concurrent vaccination and injection-site bleeding.
Immunosuppressants, including systemic corticosteroids and cytotoxic medicines
They may reduce the immune response, although the inactivated vaccine can still be administered when clinically appropriate.
Other vaccines
They may be given at the same appointment using separate sites, but adverse effects may be more noticeable.
Common questions about Influenza virus surface antigens
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can Influenza virus surface antigens give me flu?
No. The selected injectable vaccine is inactivated and contains no live influenza virus capable of causing flu.
How quickly does protection develop?
The immune response develops over roughly two weeks, so exposure shortly before or after vaccination can still result in illness.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.