Fluzone High-Dose QIV (Influenza Virus Haemagglutinin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Fluzone High-Dose QIV Used For?
Fluzone High-Dose QIV is a vaccine specifically designed to help protect older adults against influenza and its complications.
Primary Uses
This vaccine is recommended to help protect against influenza (flu) and associated pneumonia in persons aged 60 years and older. It protects against four different strains of the influenza virus that are expected to be most common each flu season.
How It Works
The vaccine works by helping your body make antibodies. These antibodies help your body recognize the flu virus and help prevent infection. It takes a few weeks for your body to produce these protective antibodies after vaccination.
Good to know: You need to receive a flu vaccine every year because previous injections are unlikely to give you protection against the current strains of flu virus most common this year.
How to Take Fluzone High-Dose QIV
This vaccine is administered by a healthcare professional as a single injection.
Administration Instructions
Fluzone High-Dose QIV is given as a single 0.7 mL injection into the muscles of your upper arm by your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Your doctor will recommend the best time for you to be vaccinated.
Important: The vaccine will not prevent flu if you are already incubating the disease before vaccination or if it is caused by a virus strain not included in the vaccine.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Pain at injection site
- Redness at injection site
- Swelling and hardness at injection site
- Bruising at injection site
- Itching at injection site
- Muscle aches
- Feeling unwell
- Headache
- Fever and chills
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Cough
- Vertigo
- Tiredness
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Hives
- Joint pain
- Night sweats
- Rash
- Runny nose
- Pain in arms or legs
- Sore throat
- Lack of energy
- Temporary reduction in blood platelets
- Swollen glands in neck, armpit or groin
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) with swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat causing difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (rare skin condition with severe blisters)
- Numbness or pins and needles sensation
- Neurological disorders including Guillain-Barré Syndrome, encephalomyelitis, transverse myelitis, brachial neuritis
- Convulsions including febrile convulsions
- Facial palsy (Bell’s palsy)
- Vision disorders due to optic nerve dysfunction
- Fainting shortly after vaccination
- Blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis)
- Chest pain
- Wheezing, throat tightness, difficulty breathing
- Excess blood in the white of the eye
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before receiving this vaccine.
Who Should Not Take Fluzone High-Dose QIV
Do not receive this vaccine if you are allergic to the active ingredients or any ingredients listed in the medication guide, or if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction after getting any flu vaccine.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have or have had Guillain-Barré syndrome (severe muscle weakness) after getting a flu vaccine, have an immune response problem, have bleeding problems or bruise easily, or have an illness with high or moderate temperature or an acute illness (vaccination should be postponed until you recover).
Allergic Reactions: Call your doctor immediately if you notice signs of allergic reactions including difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, swelling of face, lips, throat or tongue, cold clammy skin, palpitations, dizziness, weakness, fainting, rash or itching.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with how the vaccine works.
Important: Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking, including vitamins and supplements, as some may reduce your immune response to the vaccine.
- Corticosteroids (such as prednisone)
- Medicines used to treat cancer (chemotherapy)
- Radiotherapy
- Other medicines affecting the immune system
Alcohol & Driving
There are important precautions regarding activities after vaccination.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Do not drive or use machines if you are feeling unwell after vaccination. Wait until any effects of the vaccine have worn off before you drive or use machines.
Storage
Fluzone High-Dose QIV is usually stored at the doctor’s office, clinic, or pharmacy. If you need to store it: Keep it in the original packaging until use. Store in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze. Do not use after the expiry date. Do not use if packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. Keep away from children. For disposal, take any unwanted vaccine to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
This vaccine is administered as a single dose by healthcare professionals, so overdose is unlikely. If you have concerns about your vaccination, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
It takes a few weeks for your body to produce the protective antibodies after vaccination. The vaccine helps your body make antibodies that recognize and help prevent flu infection.
You need to receive a flu vaccine every year because previous injections are unlikely to give you protection against the current strains of flu virus most common each year.
Fluzone High-Dose QIV will only help prevent flu if it is caused by one of the four strains of virus contained in the vaccine or other strains closely related to them. It will not prevent flu if you are already incubating the disease before vaccination or if it is caused by another virus.
If you have an illness with high or moderate temperature or an acute illness, the vaccination should be postponed until after you have recovered. Discuss with your doctor about the best timing.
Call your doctor immediately if you notice signs of allergic reactions including difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, swelling of face, lips, throat or tongue, cold clammy skin, palpitations, dizziness, weakness, fainting, rash or itching.
Your doctor will advise you if Fluzone High-Dose QIV may be given with another vaccine. Always check with your healthcare provider about timing of different vaccinations.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking, including corticosteroids, cancer treatments, or other medicines affecting the immune system, as these may interfere with how the vaccine works.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.