Influenza Vaccine FAQ

What is a Trivalent and Quadrivalent Vaccine?

• Trivalent vaccines protect against two types of influenza A viruses and one type of influenza B virus

• Quadrivalent vaccines protect against two types of influenza A viruses and two types of influenza B viruses

How are influenza vaccines administered?

Influenza vaccines can be administered in three ways:

• Intramuscular – Needle is inserted into the muscle tissue and injected

• Intradermal – Short needle is inserted into the skin and injected

• Intranasal – A plunger containing the vaccine is inserted into the nose and forcefully injected into the nasal cavity

What is an “inactivated” vaccine?

• An inactivated vaccine is a virus that has been killed

• It contains virus particles that are grown in a lab under conditions that render the virus to be non-infectious

What is a “high-dose” flu vaccine?

• As people age, their immune defenses are weakened which increases risk of illness from the flu

• A higher dose of flu antigen in the vaccine is given to people over the age of 65 to increase immune response and better protect from the flu virus

Is Thimerosal harmful to the body?

• World Health Organization’s Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety has stated there is no evidence of toxicity from vaccines that contain thimerosal

Why is Thimerosal used in vaccines?

• Thiomersal is used to prevent the possible growth of bacteria or fungi that could contaminate multi-dose vials with repeated uses

• NMS offers several thimerosal (preservative free) vaccine options

Does preservative-containing (thimerosal) vaccine cause autism?

• Numerous studies conducted have shown no link between thimerosal exposure and autism

How are vaccine strains chosen every year?

• Every year, the seasonal influenza vaccine is constructed to protect against the most likely strain of influenza that will spread during the upcoming flu season based on calculated and researched information

Do I need a new flu shot every year?

• It is recommended since flu viruses are constantly changing, the influenza vaccines also has to adapt to increase the likelihood of protection

What are the advantages of choosing Pre-Filled Syringes (PFS) over Multi-Dose Vials (MDV) or Single-Dose Vials (SDV)?

• Pre-Filled Syringes helps to increase accuracy of dosage, ease of administration, safety, and reduces patient wait-time

• PFS are most often preservative free (thimerosal free)