Flu information leaflet and possible side-effects
The vaccine is called Fluenz and it is produced by AstraZeneca UK Limited.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet here.
It notes:
‘Fluenz vaccine viruses are grown in chicken eggs. Each year the vaccine targets three strains of influenza, following the annual recommendations by the World Health Organisation.’
Potential Fluenz side-effects
Potential side-effects are listed as follows – many appear not to be dissimilar to flu itself:
Very common
(may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- runny or stuffy nose
- reduced appetite
- feeling generally unwell
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
Not known
(frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
- fainting (syncope)
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.
In the UK, side-effects from any medication should be reported and recorded via the Yellow Card Scheme.
However, this system is voluntary and does not capture all side-effects. The UK government has noted: ‘It is estimated that only 10% of serious reactions and between 2 and 4% of non-serious reactions are reported.’
In the information for health professionals, on the same website that offers the Patient Information Leaflet, it notes:
‘No data exist regarding the possible effects of Fluenz on male and female fertility.’
Unintended consequences?
Some studies of childhood influenza immunisation, whilst showing a reduction in influenza itself, have shown an overall increase in upper respiratory illnesses due to the many other viruses in circulation.
In another study from the Mayo clinic, children with asthma who were vaccinated against influenza had a higher hospital admission rate than those who were unvaccinated.
Moreover, children given intranasal flu vaccines have increased bacterial colonisation with streptococci, haemophilus, and moraxella, compared with controls.
In my view, this is unnecessary for healthy children who are at very low risk from flu. The evidence suggests that while proven influenza cases are reduced, they are simply replaced by other flu-like illnesses.
Retired paediatrician and Informing Consent medical adviser
