Only a doctor, nurse, or trained medical person should give you this vaccine.

Steps for using:

1. The healthcare worker will check if the vaccine is safe to use.
   
   
2. They will clean your skin with a swab.
   
   
3. They will inject the vaccine into your upper arm or thigh muscle.
   
   
4. After the shot, they may ask you to wait 15–30 minutes to check for reactions.
   
   

After the shot:

• You might feel tired or sore.
  
  
• Drink water and rest.
  
  
• Use a cool cloth if your arm feels sore.
  
  

Things to remember:

• Don’t miss your dose if your doctor recommends two.
  
  

This vaccine teaches your body how to fight the flu virus. It does this by showing your immune system a small, dead part of the virus that cannot make you sick. But your body learns from it and creates antibodies (fighter cells) to protect you in the future.

How it works:

• The vaccine is injected into your muscle.
  
  
• Your body sees the virus pieces as harmful.
  
  
• It builds antibodies to fight them.
  
  
• Later, if you are exposed to the real flu virus, your body already knows how to fight it.
  
  

This vaccine does not give you the flu. It only helps your body prepare to fight it. It takes about 2 weeks after the shot for your body to be protected.

Like all vaccines, Flucelvax may have some side effects. Most of these are mild and go away in 1–2 days. Serious side effects are very rare.

Common side effects:

• Soreness or redness where you got the shot.
  
  
• Mild fever.
  
  
• Tiredness.
  
  
• Muscle aches.
  
  
• Headache.
  
  

Less common side effects:

• Feeling dizzy.
  
  
• Nausea (feeling like vomiting).
  
  
• Joint pain.
  
  

Rare but serious side effects:

• Severe allergic reaction (trouble breathing, swelling).
  
  
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a rare nerve condition).
  
  

What to do:

• Drink water and rest.
  
  
• Use a cold cloth on the sore area.
  
  

Call a doctor if the side effects don’t go away or get worse.

Before getting the vaccine, tell your doctor about your health. Some people need to be careful or avoid the vaccine.

Be careful if:

• You had a serious allergic reaction to a flu vaccine before.
  
  
• You have a weak immune system (from illness or medicine).
  
  
• You had Guillain-Barré Syndrome in the past.
  
  
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding (usually safe, but ask your doctor).
  
  
• You have a fever or infection on the day of the shot.
  
  

Important:

• Do not take the vaccine if it’s expired or frozen.
  
  
• Tell your doctor about any medicines you take.
  
  

• You can take this vaccine with other vaccines, but tell your doctor first.
  
  
• People taking immune-suppressing medicines should talk to their doctor.
  
  
• If you are sick or have a fever, wait until you are better before taking the vaccine.
  
  

• Shake the syringe before using.
  
  
• Store it in the fridge (not freezer).
  
  

Do not use if the liquid is cloudy or has particles.

Flucelvax must be given in the correct amount. It is important to follow the guidelines carefully.

Dose by age:

• 6 months to 8 years:
  
  
  • One or two doses of 0.5 mL.
    
    
  • If two doses are needed, they should be 4 weeks apart.
    
    
• 9 years and older:
  
  
  • Only one dose of 0.5 mL.
    
    

How to give the dose:

• Inject into the muscle (upper arm or thigh).
  
  
• Shake the syringe before use.
  
  
• Use a clean needle and dispose of it safely.
  
  

Tips:

• Never take more than the recommended dose.
  
  
• Don’t skip the second dose if needed.
  
  

Always let a trained person give the shot.

Flucelvax is not a medicine you can buy on your own. It needs a doctor’s prescription and must be given in a clinic or hospital by trained staff.

Important facts:

• You need to talk to a doctor before getting this vaccine.
  
  
• The doctor will check your health and vaccine history.
  
  
• You may need to fill out a consent form.
  
  
• After the shot, you’ll get a vaccine record or card.
  
  

Why prescription is needed:

• To make sure the vaccine is safe for you.
  
  
• To give you the correct dose at the right time.
  
  
• To keep a record for future reference.

1. What is Flucelvax Quadrivalent 2023–2024 used for? To prevent influenza caused by virus strains included in the 2023–2024 flu season.

2. What does “Quadrivalent” mean in Flucelvax? It protects against four influenza virus strains: two A strains and two B strains.

3. What is the active ingredient in Flucelvax? Inactivated influenza virus antigens produced in cell culture.

4. What drug class does Flucelvax belong to? Viral vaccines.

5. Is Flucelvax a controlled substance? No, it is not classified as a controlled substance.

6. Is Flucelvax available in generic form? No, there is no generic equivalent.

7. How is Flucelvax administered? As an intramuscular injection (IM), typically in the deltoid muscle.

8. What age group is Flucelvax approved for? Approved for individuals aged 6 months and older.

9. How often is Flucelvax given? Once annually, ideally before the start of flu season.

10. What are common side effects? Injection site pain, fatigue, headache, myalgia, and malaise.

11. Can Flucelvax cause serious reactions? Rarely, it may cause allergic reactions or Guillain-Barré syndrome.

12. Is Flucelvax safe during pregnancy? Yes, inactivated flu vaccines like Flucelvax are generally considered safe during pregnancy; consult a healthcare provider.

13. How should Flucelvax be stored? Refrigerate at 2°C to 8°C; do not freeze.

14. Is a prescription required for Flucelvax? Yes, it is administered by healthcare professionals.

15. Can Flucelvax be used with other vaccines? Yes, it can be co-administered with other vaccines at different injection sites.

16. Is Flucelvax available in Pakistan? Availability may vary; check with local immunization centers or pharmacies.

17. Is Flucelvax part of routine immunization schedules? Yes, it is included in seasonal flu vaccination programs.

18. How effective is Flucelvax? Effectiveness varies by season but generally reduces flu-related illness and complications.

19. Who should not receive Flucelvax? Those with severe allergic reactions to any component of the vaccine or previous influenza vaccines.

20. What makes Flucelvax different from other flu vaccines? It is produced using cell-based technology rather than traditional egg-based methods, reducing the risk of egg-related allergic reactions and potentially improving strain match.