Injectable influenza vaccine

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To whom is the injectable influenza vaccine administered?

The injectable VaxigripTetra influenza vaccine is free for children and adults in the target groups for influenza vaccinations. 

For children aged from 2 to 6 years who are entitled to the free influenza vaccine, FluenzTetra vaccine administered as a nasal spray has also been provided. 

Which vaccine is used and what does it contain?

Injectable Vaxigrip Tetra vaccine is used in the national vaccination programme.

  • The active substance contains surface structures of the influenza virus.
  • The excipients are salts and purified water.
  • The vaccine contains no adjuvants or preservatives.
  • The vaccine has minor formaldehyde residues only and traces of neomycin and octoxynol 9.
  • The vaccine contains traces of egg protein, or ovalbumin.

Two strains of A virus and two B virus strains have been used to make the vaccine. One A virus strain has been replaced since the last season. 

The viruses are cultivated in embryonated chicken eggs, purified, separated and killed with formaldehyde. As the vaccines do not contain live viruses, they cannot cause influenza.

What are the contraindications and precautions associated with the vaccine?

The influenza vaccine is suitable for almost everyone. It should not be administered to a person in whom a previous influenza vaccination has caused a severe and immediate allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
Contraindications and precautions associated with influenza vaccinations

Dosage and schedule

The dose of VaxigripTetra vaccine is 0.5 ml for all age groups. Protection is developed within about two weeks.

How many doses does a child under the age of 9 need?

  • This year, a child who has never had an influenza vaccination needs two doses of the injectable influenza vaccine. The interval between the first and second dose must be at least four weeks.
  • A child who has only received a single dose of an injectable vaccine needs two doses of injectable influenza vaccine this year.
  • If the child has previously received a total of two doses of any influenza vaccine or a single dose of the nasal spray vaccine, a single dose is enough for them this year. This also applies if the doses have been administered in different influenza seasons.
  • If a child has received a single dose of the nasal spray vaccine in this season, that is now enough for them. There is no need for a second dose even if the child has not received any influenza vaccinations in the past.

What are the benefits of the influenza vaccine?

The vaccine gives the best protection against influenza. At best, it prevents

  • between 5 and 8 influenza cases out of 10 in healthy working age people
  • between 5 and 8 influenza cases out of 10 in children
  • every second influenza case in older people.

The influenza vaccine reduces

  • deaths, hospitalisations and need for institutional treatment caused by influenza
  • prevalence of serious influenza
  • secondary diseases, including ear infections, pneumonia and bronchitis as well as coronary and cerebral circulation disorders
  • influenza infections: when you do not fall ill, you cannot infect others.

What are the potential adverse effects of the influenza vaccine?

All vaccines may have adverse effects, but they are usually transient and only occur in a small proportion of the vaccine recipients. After the administration of an injectable influenza vaccine, the injection site may be red and tender.

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What are the potential adverse effects of the influenza vaccine?

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