Influenza (Flu)
On this page:
- Adverse events following influenza vaccination
- Further information
Influenza vaccine is available at the Medical Centre.
FLUZONE® Consumer Medicine Information Summary
Adverse events following influenza vaccination
Post-vaccination symptoms may mimic influenza infection. None of the influenza vaccines available in Australia contain live influenza viruses, so they cannot cause influenza.
Injection site reactions
Injection site reactions occur in more than 10% of people who receive standard-dose influenza vaccine intramuscularly. These include:
- induration
- swelling
- redness
- pain
Studies directly comparing inactivated trivalent and quadrivalent formulations in children and adults showed that the safety profiles were similar.
Systemic adverse events
1–10% of people who receive standard-dose influenza vaccines will develop:
- fever
- malaise
- myalgia
These adverse events may start a few hours after vaccination and may last for 1–2 days.
Immediate adverse events following influenza vaccination are very rare. They can include hives, angioedema or anaphylaxis.
Post-vaccination procedures
It is recommended that vaccinated persons are kept under observation for at the Medical Centre for at least 15 minutes post vaccination.
Paracetamol or ibuprofen may be recommended, as required, for fever or pain after vaccination.