For people aged 65 years old and over, influenza immunisation is very important, as the risks associated with the illness increase as you age.

As we age, our immune system deteriorates and its ability to respond to vaccines by making antibodies declines. This means that vaccines are not as good at protecting us as when we were younger.

However, advances in influenza vaccine development at CSL Seqirus, has given the flu shot a boost in effectiveness in people aged over 65 years by adding an adjuvant to the vaccine (compared with the standard flu vaccine).

In people aged 65 years and over, immunisation with FLUAD Quad offers:

18-36% fewer influenza-related GP visits^
Less chance of contracting flu compared with the standard flu vaccine.^
Lower risk of needing to see a doctor, visit an emergency department or be hospitalised with flu related complications compared with the standard flu vaccine.^
Longer protection, with antibody levels higher at 12 months post vaccination, compared with the standard flu vaccine.^

For most people, systemic side effects are comparable with the standard flu vaccine. (Some people may experience slightly more injection site pain, swelling or other local side effects).

FLUAD Quad is available in Australia, the United Kingdom, the European Union, USA and many other countries. Over 436 million doses (trivalent and quadrivalent) have been distributed worldwide. If you have any questions about FLUAD Quad ask your healthcare professional.

FLUAD Quad is unfunded, A charge will apply.

^ No effectiveness randomised clinical studies have been performed with FLUAD Quad versus standard dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine. The observational effectiveness studies performed with FLUAD (trivalent formulation) are relevant to FLUAD Quad as both vaccines are manufactured using the same process and have overlapping compositions. Observational studies have limitations including potential for selection bias, residual confounding. Studies were conducted in different seasons with different circulating strains. Influenza infection was not laboratory confirmed in all studies.

What is an adjuvant?

In the context of vaccines, an adjuvant is an extra ingredient added to the vaccine to enhance the body's immune response. The MF59® Adjuvant in FLUAD Quad helps improve the effectiveness of the vaccine and can help increase the duration of protection compared to the standard flu shot.

FAQs

It’s normal to have questions about immunisation. Here are some of the more common questions people have about flu vaccines. If your question is not on this list, or for more detailed information, please talk to your healthcare professional.

  • Your body takes a few weeks after vaccination to fully develop protection against the influenza virus.

  • Yes, because the influenza virus is constantly changing, so flu vaccines need to be changed to match the strains that are most likely to arrive in New Zealand for each flu season. Added to that, protection from the vaccine does ‘wear out’ over time, which is another reason why it’s important to have your annual flu vaccine.

  • FLUAD Quad is what is known as a ‘Quadrivalent’ vaccine, put simply, it means that the vaccine helps protect against four strains of influenza. The strains in the vaccine are chosen each year by the World Health Organisation based on modelling that predicts the strains most likely to affect the southern hemisphere.

  • Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are used to make the vaccine.

    If you have been vaccinated, when you come into contact with the influenza virus, your body will recognise the virus and fight against it.

  • The vaccine is given by a doctor, nurse or pharmacist, as an injection given into the muscle, usually in the upper arm.

  • Yes, you can get these at the same time. The vaccines will be administered into different limbs.

FLUAD® Quad is an inactivated influenza vaccine, with an MF59® Adjuvant. FLUAD® Quad is an unfunded Prescription Medicine, a charge may apply. FLUAD® Quad is for active immunisation against influenza for people aged 65 years and older. Each dose contains 60 micrograms/0.5 mL of surface antigens from four influenza virus strains. FLUAD® Quad has risks and benefits. Ask your doctor if FLUAD® Quad is right for you. Common side effects; injection site reactions e.g. pain, swelling, and redness warmth, burning or stinging, bruising. Fatigue, headache, aching muscles or joints, diarrhoea, chills, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting and fever. Very rarely, Guillain-Barré syndrome (feeling weak, numbness and tingling in your limbs). Tell your healthcare professional if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any vaccine, egg or to any of the listed ingredients for FLUAD® Quad. If you experience side effects after being given FLUAD® Quad, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional. Additional consumer product information on FLUAD® Quad can be found at www.medsafe.govt.nz, CSL Seqirus, Auckland or 0800 502 757. FLUAD® and FLUAD® Quad are registered trademarks of Seqirus UK Ltd. 10/23 NZ-FLU-24-0008. TAPS NP20541. INSIGHT 12887.