Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Descriptions

Influenza virus vaccine, H1N1 is used to prevent infection caused by the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus. The vaccine works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the disease. It is also known as a "flu shot".

Influenza is a virus infection of the throat, bronchial tubes, and lungs. Influenza infection causes fever, chills, cough, headache, muscle aches, and pains in your back, arms, and legs. In addition, adults and children weakened by other diseases or medical conditions, and persons 50 years of age and over, even if they are healthy, may get a much more serious illness that may have to be treated in a hospital. Each year thousands of people die as a result of an influenza infection.

This vaccine is to be administered only by or under the supervision of your doctor or other health care professional.

Before Using

In deciding to use a vaccine, the risks of taking the vaccine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this vaccine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of influenza virus vaccine, H1N1 in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of influenza virus vaccine, H1N1 in children below 4 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of influenza virus vaccine, H1N1 in children below 6 months of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of influenza virus vaccine, H1N1 in the elderly.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this vaccine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Allergy to eggs, egg products, or chicken products, history of—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Guillain-Barré syndrome, history of—May cause the symptoms of this condition to return.

• Immune system problems (e.g., cancer, HIV)—This vaccine may not work as well if you have weak immune system.

Proper Use

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this vaccine. This vaccine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.

Some children who have not received the vaccine before should receive 2 doses at least 1 month apart.

Precautions

It is very important that your child return to your doctor’s office at the right time for the second dose. Be sure to notify your doctor of any side effects that occur after you or your child receive this vaccine.

This vaccine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, swelling of the tongue and throat, or trouble breathing after you get the injection.

Avoid contact with people who are sick or at increased risk of getting the infection after you receive this vaccine. Talk to your doctor about this if you have concerns.

Influenza virus vaccine, H1N1 may not protect all persons given the vaccine. Also, this vaccine will not treat flu symptoms if you already have the virus.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

1. Difficulty with moving
2. fever
3. general feeling of discomfort or illness
4. joint pain
5. muscle aching or cramping
6. muscle pains or stiffness
7. swollen joints
8. unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

1. Back pain, sudden and severe
2. black, tarry stools
3. bleeding gums
4. blindness
5. blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
6. blood in the urine or stools
7. blue-yellow color blindness
8. blurred vision
9. body aches or pain
10. burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
11. burning, tingling, numbness or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
12. chest pain
13. chills
14. congestion
15. convulsions
16. cough
17. decreased vision
18. diarrhea
19. difficult or labored breathing
20. difficulty with swallowing
21. dizziness
22. dryness or soreness of the throat
23. eye pain
24. fainting
25. fast heartbeat
26. feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheadedness
27. feeling of warmth or heat
28. flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
29. headache
30. hives
31. hoarseness
32. itching
33. large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
34. muscle weakness, sudden and progressing
35. pain in the arms or legs
36. pinpoint red spots on the skin
37. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
38. red skin lesions, often with a purple center
39. redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
40. redness, soreness, or itching skin
41. runny nose
42. sensation of pins and needles
43. shortness of breath
44. skin rash
45. sneezing
46. sore throat
47. sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
48. sores, welting, or blisters
49. stabbing pain
50. stuffy nose
51. sweating
52. swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
53. tender, swollen glands in the neck
54. tightness in the chest
55. trouble with swallowing
56. unusual bleeding or bruising
57. voice changes
58. weakness of the muscles in your face
59. wheezing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

1. Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at injection site

Incidence not known

1. Lack or loss of strength

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/influenza-a-virus-vaccine-h1n1-inactivated-intramuscular-route/precautions/DRG-20073171