Fluzone Intradermal

Fluzone intradermal is an inactivated influenza vaccine used to prevent infection with the influenza virus.

It is available as an injection and is injected under the skin once per year by a healthcare professional. 

Common side effects include mild hypersensitivity reactions such as rash, local reactions at the injection site including redness, itching, and swelling, and mild and temporary influenza-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, tiredness, headache, and chills.

Fluzone intradermal is an inactivated influenza virus vaccine for persons aged 18-64 and is used to prevent influenza virus infection. Fluzone intradermal is designed to help protect against 4 different strains of the flu: 2 influenza A viruses and 2 influenza B viruses.

This vaccine may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Fluzone Intradermal is administered as a single 0.1 mL injection given under the skin in adults 18 through 64 years of age by a healthcare professional.

Serious side effects have been reported with Fluzone Intradermal, including the following:

• Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you have a history of GBS or any neurologic disorder including seizures. If Guillain-Barré syndrome has occurred within 6 weeks of receiving an influenza vaccine in the past, your doctor will determine if you should receive Fluzone Intradermal.
• Altered Immunity. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you have a suppressed immune system due to a current condition or medication therapy. If Fluzone Intradermal is administered to a person with a suppressed immune system, including individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy, you may not get the best immune response. Tell your doctor if you are receiving immunosuppressive therapies such as prednisone, auto-Immune treatments such as etanercept (Enbrel), and chemotherapy such as capecitabine (Xeloda).
• Allergic Reactions: Tell your doctor if you are allergic to eggs or latex. Tell your doctor right away if you experience:
  • Swelling of the face, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble breathing
  • Hives or bad rash

Do not receive Fluzone Intradermal vaccine if you:

• Have an allergy to eggs or to any inactive ingredient of the vaccine.
• Have ever had a life-threatening reaction to an influenza vaccine.
• Are younger than 18 years of age.
• Are 65 years of age or older.

Serious side effects have been associated with Fluzone intradermal. See the "Fluzone intradermal" section.

Common side effects of Fluzone intradermal include the following:

• Injection site reactions (redness, itching,tenderness, swelling, etc.)
• Influenza-type symptoms (fever, muscle aches, headache, tiredness, chills)

Once the vaccine has been given, a bump may be visible where you got the shot. 

This is not a complete list of potential Fluzone intradermal side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Inform your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you and do not go away.

Call your doctor about medical advice related to side effects. You may report side effects to VAERS at 1-800-822-7967.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• Irradiation therapy (radiation treatments)
• Any other live or inactive vaccine given in separate vial or syringe
• Immunosuppressive therapies such as prednisone, auto-Immune treatments such as etanercept (Enbrel), and chemotherapy such as capecitabine (Xeloda)

This is not a complete list of Fluzone intradermal drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Fluzone Intradermal falls into category B. There are no well-controlled studies that have been done in pregnant women with Fluzone Intradermal. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication. Fluzone Intradermal should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Fluzone Intradermal crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Fluzone Intradermal.