Flucelvax® is available in New Zealand for people aged 6 months and over. Flucelvax is not funded and a charge will apply.
Why should I choose Flucelvax?
Depending on the flu season, real-world studies in people aged under 65 years, have shown Flucelvax to be up to 19.8% more effective at protecting you from the flu than the standard flu vaccine*. Flucelvax is produced using cell-based technology. This means the vaccine you receive is designed to be an exact match to the flu strains that are in circulation during the flu season.† Ask your healthcare professional about Flucelvax today.
*Studies carried out in either trivalent of quadrivalent formulation; effectiveness results are applicable to both. Observational studies have limitations including potential for selection bias, residual confounding. Studies conducted in 5 separate US seasons (2017-2020, 2022-2024) with different circulating strains in different patient datasets aged <65 years of age. 19.8% (95% CI 15.7-23.8). † May not predict a clinical effect.
HAS BEEN SHOWN TO OFFER GREATER PROTECTION
Real-world studies in people aged under 65 years have shown that Flucelvax provided up to 19.8% greater vaccine effectiveness across 5 US flu seasons, when compared to the standard flu vaccine†. This means your chances of getting sick from flu or going to hospital because of it are reduced.
† Studies carried out in either trivalent of quadrivalent formulation; effectiveness results are applicable to both. Studies conducted in 5 separate US seasons (2017-2020, 2022-2024) with different circulating strains in different patient datasets aged <65 years of age. Observational studies have limitations including potential for selection bias, residual confounding. 19.8% (95% CI 15.7-23.8)
Is Flucelvax well tolerated?
Since its launch in 2012, over 292 million doses* of Flucelvax have already been given to people around the world. It has a similar tolerability profile to the standard flu vaccine, with similar side effects such as pain or swelling at the site of the injection. Ask your vaccinator if Flucelvax is right for you.
*Includes both trivalent and quadrivalent doses.
Flucelvax is not funded
Flucelvax is a flu vaccine option for people aged from 6 months of age. It is not funded so a charge will apply. However, for some people under the age of 65, the standard flu vaccine is not funded. Prices vary between clinics and pharmacies. Check with your preferred vaccinator for specific pricing details.
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.
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Your body takes a few weeks after vaccination to fully develop protection against the influenza virus.
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Yes, because the influenza virus is constantly changing, 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 flu vaccine every year.
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Flucelvax is what is known as a trivalent vaccine. Put simply, it means that the vaccine helps protect against three 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.
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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.
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The vaccine is given by a doctor, nurse or pharmacist, as an injection. It is administered by intramuscular injection in the upper arm. For infants, the injection is normally given into the muscle of the thigh.
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Yes, you can get these at the same time. The vaccines will be administered into different limbs.
Don’t let the flu put your health at risk - talk to your healthcare provider today
Flucelvax® is an inactivated influenza vaccine, prepared in cell cultures. Flucelvax® is an unfunded Prescription Medicine, charges will apply. Flucelvax® is for the prevention of influenza in adults and children aged 6 months of age and older. Each dose contains 45 micrograms/0.5 mL of surface haemagglutinin and neuraminidase from three influenza virus strains, type A and B. Flucelvax® has risks and benefits. Ask your doctor or healthcare professional if Flucelvax® is right for you. Side effects include injection site reactions such as pain, redness, swelling or formation of hard lumps and bruising; muscle aches or joint pain; flu-like symptoms such as headache, fatigue, fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or blocked nose; nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and loss of appetite. Serious side effects include 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 or to any of the listed ingredients for Flucelvax®. If you have side effects after being given Flucelvax®, talk to your healthcare professional. Additional product consumer information on Flucelvax® is available from www.medsafe.govt.nz; Seqirus, Auckland on 0800 502 757. Flucelvax® is a registered trademark of Seqirus UK Ltd and its affiliates. Seqirus, Auckland 12/25. TAPS NP23861
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