Package leaflet: Information for the user
Fluenz® Tetra nasal spray suspension
Influenza vaccine (live attenuated, nasal)
Read all of this carefully before the vaccine is given because it contains important
information for you or your child.
- Make a note of the post. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
- This vaccine has been prescribed for you or your child only. Do not pass it on to others.
- If any of the side effects gets serious, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. This includes any
possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
What is in this leaflet:
- What Fluenz Tetra is and what it is used for
- What you need to know before you are given Fluenz Tetra
- How Fluenz Tetra is given
- Possible side effects
- How to store Fluenz Tetra
- Contents of the pack and other information
- What Fluenz Tetra is and what it is used for
Fluenz Tetra is a vaccine to prevent influenza (flu). It is used in children and adolescents 24 months to
less than 18 years of age. Fluenz Tetra will help to protect against the four virus strains contained in
the vaccine, and other strains closely related to them.
How Fluenz Tetra works
When a person is given the vaccine, the immune system (the body’s natural defence system) will
produce its own protection against the influenza virus. None of the ingredients in the vaccine can
cause the flu.
Fluenz Tetra vaccine viruses are grown in chicken eggs. Each year the vaccine targets four strains of
influenza, following the annual recommendations by the World Health Organisation. - What you need to know before you are given Fluenz Tetra
You will not be given Fluenz Tetra:
- if you are allergic to gentamicin, gelatin or any of the other ingredients of this vaccine (listed in
section 6 “Contents of the pack and other information”). - if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to eggs or egg proteins. For signs of allergic
reactions, see section 4 “Possible side effects”. - if you have a blood disorder or a cancer that affects the immune system.
- if you have been told by your doctor that you have a weakened immune system as a result
of a disease, medicine or other treatment. - if you are already taking acetylsalicylic acid (a substance present in many medicines used
to relieve pain and lower fever). This is because of the risk of a very rare but serious disease
(Reye’s syndrome).
If any of these apply, tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before vaccination: - if the child is less than 24 months of age. Children less than 24 months of age should not
receive this vaccine because of the risk of side effects. - if you have severe asthma or are currently wheezing.
- if you are in close contact with someone with a severely weakened immune system
(for example, a bone marrow transplant patient needing isolation).
If any of these apply, tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before vaccination. He or she will
decide if Fluenz Tetra is suitable for you.
Other medicines, other vaccines and Fluenz Tetra
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if the person being vaccinated is taking, has recently taken or
might take any other medicines, including medicines that do not require a prescription. - Do not give acetylsalicylic acid (a substance present in many medicines used to relieve pain and
lower fever) to children for 4 weeks after vaccination with Fluenz Tetra unless your doctor,
nurse or pharmacist tells you otherwise. This is because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a very
rare but serious disease that can affect the brain and liver. - It is recommended that Fluenz Tetra is not given at the same time as influenza-specific
antiviral medicines, such as oseltamivir and zanamivir. This is because the vaccine may work
less effectively.
Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will decide if Fluenz Tetra can be given at the same time as other
vaccines.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding - If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, plan to become pregnant soon or are
breast-feeding, tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before receiving this vaccine. Fluenz
Tetra is not recommended for women who are pregnant or are breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines - Fluenz Tetra has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
- How Fluenz Tetra is given
Fluenz Tetra will be administered under the supervision of a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Fluenz Tetra must only be used as a nasal spray.
Fluenz Tetra must not be injected.
Fluenz Tetra will be given as a spray in each nostril. You can breathe normally while you are given
Fluenz Tetra. You do not need to actively inhale or sniff.
Dosage
The recommended dose for children and adolescents is 0.2 ml Fluenz Tetra, administered as 0.1 ml
in each nostril. Children who have not previously had an influenza vaccine will receive a second,
follow-up dose after an interval of at least 4 weeks. Follow your doctor, nurse or pharmacist’s
instructions about if and when your child should return for the second dose.
If you have any further questions on this vaccine, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. - Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this vaccine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. In clinical
studies with the vaccine, most side effects were mild in nature and short term.
Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you want more information about possible side effects from
Fluenz Tetra.
Some side effects may be serious
Very rare
(may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):
- severe allergic reaction: signs of a severe allergic reaction may include shortness of breath and
swelling of the face or tongue.
Tell your doctor straight away or seek urgent medical care if you experience any of the effects
above.
Other possible side effects of Fluenz Tetra
Very common
(may affect more than 1 in 10 people): - runny or stuffy nose
- reduced appetite
- weakness
Common
(may affect up to 1 in 10 people): - fever
- muscle aches
- headache
Uncommon
(may affect up to 1 in 100 people): - rash
- nose bleed
- allergic reactions
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. This includes any possible side
effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme
at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App
Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
- How to store Fluenz Tetra
Keep this vaccine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this vaccine after the expiry date which is stated on the applicator label after the
letters EXP.
Store in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze.
Keep the nasal applicator in the outer carton in order to protect from light.
Before use, the vaccine may be taken out of the refrigerator once for a maximum period of 12 hours at
a temperature not above 25°C. If the vaccine has not been used after this 12 hour period, it should be
discarded.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how
to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment. - Contents of the pack and other information
What Fluenz Tetra contains
The active substances are:
Reassortant influenza virus* (live attenuated) of the following four strains: A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09 – like strain (A/Norway/31694/2022, MEDI 369815) 107.0±0.5 FFU*
A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2) – like strain
(A/Norway/16606/2021, MEDI 355293) 107.0±0.5 FFU* B/Austria/1359417/2021 – like strain (B/Austria/1359417/2021, MEDI 355292) 107.0±0.5 FFU*
B/Phuket/3073/2013 – like strain
(B/Phuket/3073/2013, MEDI 306444) 107.0±0.5 FFU***
……………………………………………………………………………………………………per 0.2 ml dose
- propagated in fertilised hens’ eggs from healthy chicken flocks.
** produced in VERO cells by reverse genetic technology. This product contains genetically
modified organisms (GMOs).
*** fluorescent focus units.
This vaccine complies with the WHO (World Health Organisation) recommendations (Northern
Hemisphere) and EU decision for the 2023/2024 season.
The other ingredients are sucrose, dipotassium phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, gelatin
(porcine, Type A), arginine hydrochloride, monosodium glutamate monohydrate and water for
injections.
What Fluenz Tetra looks like and contents of the pack
This vaccine is presented as a nasal spray suspension in a single-use nasal applicator (0.2 ml) in a pack
size of 1 and 10. Not all pack sizes may be available.
The suspension is colourless to pale yellow, clear to slightly cloudy. Small white particles may
be present.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Marketing Authorisation Holder: AstraZeneca UK Limited, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2
0AA, UK.
Manufacturer: MedImmune UK Limited, Plot 6, Renaissance Way, Boulevard Industry Park, Speke,
Liverpool, L24 9JW, United Kingdom
This leaflet was last revised in July 2023.
© AstraZeneca 2023
FLUENZ is a registered trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies.
INF 23 0019
Other sources of information
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audio please call, free of charge:
0800 198 5000 (UK only)
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Product name Reference number
Fluenz Tetra nasal spray suspension 17901/0324
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