Flucelvax Quadrivalent
Flucelvax Quadrivalent is a brand-name flu vaccine. It’s prescribed for helping prevent the flu in people ages 6 months and older. Flucelvax Quadrivalent belongs to a group of drugs called vaccines.
Flucelvax Quadrivalent is a brand-name flu vaccine. It’s prescribed for helping prevent the flu in people ages 6 months and older. Flucelvax Quadrivalent belongs to a group of drugs called vaccines.
- Brand
- • Suspension Prefilled Syringe
- • .5ml of 2023-24
- • 1 Syringe
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Introduction
Written by Helen Marshall, BPharm, MRPharmS
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD
Updated on 6/16/23
This article describes Flucelvax Quadrivalent’s uses, side effects, and more. You’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of Flucelvax Quadrivalent.
Common questions about Flucelvax Quadrivalent
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about Flucelvax Quadrivalent.
Does Flucelvax Quadrivalent contain eggs?
No, Flucelvax Quadrivalent does not contain eggs. Some flu vaccines are made using eggs, but Flucelvax is not. It’s safe to receive this vaccine if you’re allergic to eggs.
If you have more questions about Flucelvax, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Where can I get a Flucelvax Quadrivalent vaccine?
You can get Flucelvax Quadrivalent at many different places. These include your doctor’s office, health clinics, drugstores, and university health centers. Some employers and schools also offer flu vaccines. You can contact any of these places to find out which flu vaccine they are offering.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about whether Flucelvax Quadrivalent is right for you.
Does Flucelvax Quadrivalent contain preservatives?
Possibly, but it depends on the form you receive. Flucelvax Quadrivalent comes as a single-dose prefilled syringe and in a multi-dose vial. The single-dose syringe doesn’t contain preservatives. The multi-dose vial contains the preservative thimerosal, which is made from mercury. The preservative stops the growth of germs that may get into the vial when a dose is prepared.
A dose of Flucelvax Quadrivalent from a multi-dose vial contains very small amounts of thimerosal. It’s quickly removed from your body and isn’t known to cause harmful effects. But some people may have some minor swelling or discoloration at the vaccine injection site.
Talk with your vaccine provider to learn more about the form of Flucelvax Quadrivalent you’ll receive.
Are Flucelvax Quadrivalent and Flublok Quadrivalent similar?
Yes, Flucelvax Quadrivalent and Flublok Quadrivalent are similar. Both vaccines are used to help prevent the flu. Neither contains eggs, so they’re both suitable for people with an egg allergy. But there are also some differences between these vaccines.
Flucelvax Quadrivalent is made using animal cells. Flublok Quadrivalent is made using pieces of DNA from a flu virus strain.
Flucelvax Quadrivalent is approved for adults and children ages 6 months and older. However, Flublok Quadrivalent is only approved for adults. Flublok Quadrivalent was shown to be more effective than some other flu vaccines in older adults. For this reason, it’s one of the vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for people ages 65 years and older.
To learn how Flucelvax Quadrivalent compares with other flu vaccines, talk with your doctor. They can recommend which flu vaccine is best for you.
How does Flucelvax Quadrivalent work? And how long does it take to start working?
Flucelvax Quadrivalent helps protect you from getting the flu. The vaccine contains inactivated forms of four strains of the flu virus. It stimulates your immune system (your body’s defense system) to make antibodies against these strains of the flu virus.
Antibodies are immune system proteins that attack germs, such as the flu virus. They can help stop the germs from causing disease. After you receive Flucelvax Quadrivalent, these antibodies help your body attack the flu virus if you’re exposed to it naturally. This stops you from getting ill with the flu.
You’ll usually be protected from the flu about 2 weeks after receiving Flucelvax Quadrivalent.
If you have more questions about flu vaccines, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Uses of Flucelvax Quadrivalent
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves vaccines such as Flucelvax Quadrivalent for certain conditions. Approved uses for Flucelvax Quadrivalent are described below.
Use for flu prevention
Doctors may prescribe Flucelvax Quadrivalent vaccine to help prevent the flu. It’s used for this purpose in people ages 6 months and older.
The flu is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. You may have symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, cough, stuffy nose, and low energy. These symptoms can be severe and may last more than a week.
In some people, the flu can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia. Complications from the flu may require treatment in a hospital and can be life threatening.
Your doctor may recommend you receive the flu vaccine yearly. There are several strains of the flu virus. The vaccine is updated each year to include the strains most likely to be circulating that flu season.
With the flu, you may have symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, cough, stuffy nose, and low energy. These symptoms can be severe and may last more than a week. In some people, they can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia. Complications of the flu may need treatment in hospital and can be life threatening.
Side effects of Flucelvax Quadrivalent
Flucelvax Quadrivalent may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of Flucelvax Quadrivalent and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the vaccine. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about Flucelvax Quadrivalent’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information* for Flucelvax Quadrivalent.
* To view Flucelvax Quadrivalent’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with Flucelvax Quadrivalent are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the vaccine. To learn more about Flucelvax Quadrivalent’s side effects, see the prescribing information* for Flucelvax Quadrivalent.
With many vaccines, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Flucelvax Quadrivalent vaccine’s mild side effects include:
- pain, discoloration, or skin hardness at the injection site
- headache
- muscle aches
- low energy
- mild allergic reaction†
* To view Flucelvax Quadrivalent’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Flucelvax Quadrivalent” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of Flucelvax Quadrivalent are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the vaccine. To learn more about Flucelvax Quadrivalent’s side effects, see the prescribing information* for Flucelvax Quadrivalent.
With many vaccines, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this vaccine, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Flucelvax Quadrivalent’s serious side effects include:
- syncope (fainting)
- severe allergic reaction†
* To view Flucelvax Quadrivalent’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Flucelvax Quadrivalent” section.
Interactions and warnings for Flucelvax Quadrivalent
Below, you’ll find information about Flucelvax Quadrivalent’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of Flucelvax Quadrivalent
Certain things may affect how the vaccine works. These include getting other vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you receive Flucelvax Quadrivalent, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for Flucelvax Quadrivalent” section below.
Warnings for Flucelvax Quadrivalent
Some people should not receive Flucelvax Quadrivalent, and others should receive it cautiously.
Flucelvax Quadrivalent could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether Flucelvax Quadrivalent is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for Flucelvax Quadrivalent, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Flucelvax Quadrivalent can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Flucelvax Quadrivalent or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely recommend that you don’t receive Flucelvax Quadrivalent. They can tell you about other flu vaccines that may be safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to Flucelvax Quadrivalent, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and Flucelvax Quadrivalent
Information about Flucelvax Quadrivalent and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Flucelvax Quadrivalent and pregnancy
In general, Flucelvax Quadrivalent is considered safe to receive during pregnancy. That said, ask your doctor about whether they feel it’s safe for you.
Flucelvax Quadrivalent and breastfeeding
In general, Flucelvax Quadrivalent is considered safe to receive while breastfeeding. That said, ask your doctor about whether they feel it’s safe for you.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes Flucelvax Quadrivalent’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about Flucelvax Quadrivalent or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- When’s the best time of year to get the Flucelvax Quadrivalent vaccine?
- How does Flucelvax Quadrivalent compare with other flu vaccines?
- What drug interactions should I be aware of when getting the Flucelvax Quadrivalent vaccine?
- How effective is Flucelvax Quadrivalent at preventing the flu?
Article resources
- Flublok Quadrivalent (influenza vaccine) sterile solution for intramuscular injection (2022). www.fda.gov/media/123144/download#:~:text=in%20the%20vaccine.-,Flublok%20Quadrivalent%20is%20approved%20for%20use%20in%20persons%2018%20years,see%20Clinical%20Studies%20(14)%5D
- Flucelvax Quadrivalent (influenza vaccine) suspension for intramuscular injection. (2022). https://www.flu360.com/medias/USA-QIVc-22-0075-Flucelvax-PI-July2022?context=bWFzdGVyfHJvb3R8MTMzMDEyfGFwcGxpY2F0aW9uL3BkZnxoMjYvaDBiLzg4MzYxMjUzOTI5MjYvVVNBLVFJVmMtMjItMDA3NV9GbHVjZWx2YXhfUElfSnVseTIwMjJ8MzM4MDkyZjE5MmRkMjllODI3YTNhZWUyZWRmYjNiNmIyNjAxYjE3ZjgwM2ZjOTg5NGU4MjQwZjY3ZjUxYzMwMA
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Purple Book: Database of licensed biological products. https://purplebooksearch.fda.gov
- Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine. (2022). https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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