CDC - Seasonal Influenza (Flu) - Q & A: Fluzone High-Dose Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_fluzone.htm[04/30/12 03:42:19 PM]

Fluzone High-Dose Seasonal

Influenza Vaccine

Questions & Answers

This document provides information on the new Fluzone HighDose seasonal influenza vaccine.

What is Fluzone High-Dose influenza vaccine?

Fluzone High-Dose is a new influenza vaccine, manufactured by

Sanofi Pasteur Inc., designed specifically for people 65 years

and older.

What is the difference between Fluzone,

Fluzone High-Dose, and Fluzone Intradmermal?

Fluzone, Fluzone High-Dose, and Fluzone Intradermal are all

injectable influenza vaccines, made up of the 3 flu strains most

likely to cause illness for that particular flu season, to protect

people from influenza. Fluzone High-Dose vaccines contain 4

times the amount of antigen (the part of the vaccine that

prompts the body to make antibody) contained in regular flu

shots. The additional antigen is intended to create a stronger

immune response (more antibody) in the person getting the

vaccine.

Fluzone Intradermal was licensed by the FDA for use in the

United States for the 2011-2012 flu season. The intradermal

flu vaccine is a shot that is injected into the skin instead of the

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What is Fluzone HighDose influenza vaccine?

What is the difference

between Fluzone, Fluzone

High-Dose, and Fluzone

Intradmermal?

Why is a higher dose

vaccine available for

adults 65 and older?

Does the higher dose

vaccine produce a better

immune response in

adults 65 years and

older?

Is Fluzone High-Dose

safe?

Who can get this vaccine?

Does CDC recommend

one vaccine above

another for people 65 and

older?

How is the Fluzone HighDose vaccine available?

Where can I find more

information about

Fluzone High-Dose?

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CDC - Seasonal Influenza (Flu) - Q & A: Fluzone High-Dose Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_fluzone.htm[04/30/12 03:42:19 PM]

muscle. The intradermal shot uses a much smaller needle than

the regular flu shot, and it requires less antigen to be as

effective as the regular flu shot. It is recommended for adults

18-64 years of age.

Why is a higher dose vaccine available for

adults 65 and older?

Human immune defenses become weaker with age, which

places older people at greater risk of severe illness from

influenza. Also, ageing decreases the body's ability to have a

good immune response after getting influenza vaccine. A higher

dose of antigen in the vaccine is supposed to give older people

a better immune response and therefore better protection

against flu.

Does the higher dose vaccine produce a better

immune response in adults 65 years and older?

Data from clinical trials comparing Fluzone to Fluzone HighDose among persons aged 65 years or older indicate that a

stronger immune response (i.e. higher antibody levels) occurs

after vaccination with Fluzone High-Dose. Whether or not the

improved immune response leads to greater protection against

influenza disease after vaccination is not yet known. An ongoing

study designed to determine the effectiveness of Fluzone HighDose in preventing illness from influenza compared to Fluzone

is expected to be completed in 2014-2015.

Is Fluzone High-Dose safe?

The safety profile of Fluzone High-Dose vaccine is similar to

that of regular flu vaccines, although adverse events (which are

also reported after regular flu vaccines) were reported more

frequently after vaccination with Fluzone High-Dose. The most

common adverse events experienced during clinical studies

were mild and temporary and included pain, redness and

swelling at the injection site and headache, muscle aches, fever

and malaise. Most people had minimal or no adverse events

after receiving the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine.

Who can get this vaccine?

Fluzone High-Dose is approved for use in people 65 years of

age and older. As with all flu vaccines, Fluzone High-Dose is

not recommended for people who have had a severe reaction to

the flu vaccine in the past.

Does CDC recommend one vaccine above

another for people 65 and older?

CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

(ACIP) recommends flu vaccination as the first and most

important step in protecting against the flu, however, neither

CDC nor ACIP is expressing a preference of one vaccine over

another at this time.

How is the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine available?

This vaccine is approved for marketing in 0.5 mL preservativefree, single dose, prefilled syringes.

Where can I find more information about

Fluzone High-Dose?

More information about Fluzone High-Dose is available on the

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) web site.

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CDC - Seasonal Influenza (Flu) - Q & A: Fluzone High-Dose Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_fluzone.htm[04/30/12 03:42:19 PM]

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA

800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348, New Hours of Operation 8am-8pm

ET/Monday-Friday

Closed Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov

Page last reviewed: July 6, 2011

Page last updated: July 6, 2011

Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases

(NCIRD)

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