Influvac Tetra (Influenza Vaccine, Surface Antigen, Inactivated)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Influvac Tetra Used For?
Influvac Tetra is a quadrivalent influenza vaccine that helps protect against four different types of flu virus. It’s designed to prevent seasonal influenza in adults and children.
Primary Uses
Influvac Tetra prevents certain types of influenza (commonly called the flu) and can be used in adults and children 6 months of age and older. It protects against four specific types of influenza virus that are expected to circulate each flu season.
How It Works
The vaccine works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against four different types of influenza virus. Each year, the vaccine is updated to contain fragments of new virus types that are expected to circulate during the upcoming flu season.
Good to know: People with egg allergy, including severe egg allergy, can be safely vaccinated unless they have previously experienced a serious side effect from influenza vaccines.
How to Take Influvac Tetra
Influvac Tetra is given as an injection by a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. The vaccine is typically administered once yearly before flu season begins.
Dosage Instructions
For adults and children over 6 months of age, a single 0.5 mL dose is given each year. For children less than 9 years of age who have not previously been vaccinated against influenza, a second dose of 0.5 mL should be given after an interval of at least 4 weeks. The vaccine is usually given in autumn before the start of flu season.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your scheduled vaccination, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist and arrange another visit as soon as possible to receive your flu shot.
Important: You should receive a repeated vaccination every year as new types of influenza virus can appear each year, and the vaccine is updated annually.
Available Tablet Strengths
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, redness, swelling, bruising or hard lump at injection site
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Muscle and joint aches/pains
- Generally feeling unwell
- Shivering and sweating
- In children: stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, irritability, drowsiness, fever
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reaction with swelling of limbs, face, eyes, inside of nose, mouth or throat
- Shortness of breath, breathing or swallowing difficulties
- Hives, itching (especially hands or feet), severe skin reddening
- Unusual tiredness or weakness that is sudden and severe
Important Warnings
Before receiving Influvac Tetra, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current health status with your healthcare provider.
Who Should Not Take Influvac Tetra
Do not receive Influvac Tetra if you are allergic to any influenza vaccine or any of the ingredients listed, except egg proteins. Do not receive the vaccine if you currently have a severe infection or fever (a minor infection such as a cold should not be a problem, but discuss with your healthcare provider).
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), any illness affecting the nervous system, immune deficiency conditions, thrombocytopenia, coagulation disorder, bleeding disorder, or if you have ever fainted when receiving an injection. Also mention if you have received Influvac Tetra before and became unwell.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. They will discuss the benefits and risks of receiving Influvac Tetra during pregnancy. If you are breastfeeding, tell your healthcare provider – they will discuss the risks and benefits, though the vaccine is not expected to cause problems for breast-fed babies.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Influvac Tetra and affect how it works. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications and vaccines you are taking.
- Other vaccines received this year
- Any prescription medicines
- Over-the-counter medicines from pharmacy or supermarket
- Health food shop supplements
Alcohol & Driving
Influvac Tetra should not normally interfere with your daily activities, but some people may experience dizziness or light-headedness after vaccination.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol restrictions are mentioned for Influvac Tetra.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Influvac Tetra affects you. In some people, vaccination can cause dizziness or light-headedness. Make sure you know how you react to the vaccine before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or light-headed.
Storage
Influvac Tetra is usually stored at the pharmacy, doctor’s surgery, or flu vaccination clinic. If you need to store the vaccine, keep it in the refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze as freezing destroys the vaccine. Keep it where young children cannot reach it and in the original pack until it’s time to be given.
Overdose Information
Overdose is unlikely with Influvac Tetra as it is given as a single measured dose by healthcare professionals. If you have concerns about the vaccination, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
The vaccine works by causing your body to produce antibodies against influenza virus. As with any vaccine, a protective immune response may not be elicited in all vaccines, and the timeline for protection development is not specified in the product information.
Yes, people with egg allergy, including severe egg allergy, can be safely vaccinated unless they have previously experienced a serious side effect from influenza vaccines.
You should receive Influvac Tetra every year. Each year new types of influenza virus can appear, so the vaccine is changed annually to contain fragments of the new types of virus expected to circulate.
Most side effects are mild and clear up within a few days. For serious side effects like allergic reactions with swelling, breathing difficulties, or severe skin reactions, call your doctor straight away or go to the Emergency Department.
Yes, Influvac Tetra can be used in children 6 months of age and older. Children less than 9 years who have not previously been vaccinated need a second dose after at least 4 weeks.
Influvac Tetra will only protect you against the four types of influenza virus used to make the vaccine. It will not protect you from influenza caused by other types of virus or from infections causing flu-like symptoms such as the common cold.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have received another vaccine this year or are taking any other medicines. They will advise you on the appropriate timing for different vaccinations.
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.