Influenza

Fluzone by Sanofi Pasteur (Quadrivalent Influenza)

Captured 2022-12-09
Document Highlights

2022-2023 Formula
Initial US Approval (Fluzone Quadrivalent): 2013

[I]ndicated for active immunization for the prevention of influenza disease caused by influenza A subtype viruses and type B viruses… approved for use in persons 6 months of age and older.

CONTRAINDICATIONS
Severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any component of the vaccine, including egg protein

Among children 6 months through 8 years of age, unsolicited non-serious adverse events were reported in47.0%

Throughout the study period [6 months], a total of… 1.4%experienced at least one SAE [serious adverse event]…

Post-Marketing Experience
– Thrombocytopenia, lymphadenopathy
– Anaphylaxis, other allergic/hypersensitivity reactions (including urticaria, angioedema)
– Ocular hyperemia
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), convulsions, febrile convulsions, myelitis (including encephalomyelitis and transverse myelitis), facial palsy (Bell’s palsy), optic neuritis/neuropathy, brachial neuritis, syncope (shortly after vaccination), dizziness, paresthesia
– Vasculitis, vasodilatation/flushing
– Dyspnea, cough, wheezing, throat tightness, oropharyngeal pain, rhinorrhea
– Rash, pruritus, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome
– Asthenia/fatigue, pain in extremities, chest pain
– Vomiting

[P]repared from influenza viruses propagated in embryonated chicken eggs.

The virus is then chemically disrupted using a non-ionic surfactant, octylphenol ethoxylate (Triton® X-100)*

The 5 mL multi-dose vial presentation contains thimerosal, a mercury derivative, added as a preservative. Each 0.5 mL dose from the multi-dose vial contains 25 mcg mercury. Each 0.25 mL dose from the multi-dose vial contains 12.5 mcg mercury.

Fluzone Quadrivalent has not been evaluated for carcinogenic or mutagenic potential, or for impairment of male fertility in animals.

Comments

Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent was not tested for safety in a placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Why this is important.

*"Use of alkylphenol ethoxylate (APE) surfactants such as nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) and octylphenol ethoxylates (OPEs), which include Triton X-100, has been banned in the European Union due to their ecotoxicity."

"Because of its property to disrupt the cell membrane's lipid bilayer, Triton X-100 is used for example to permeabilize the membranes of living cells or in cell lysis to extract proteins. Outside of research work it has been used in some pharmaceuticals and vaccines (to inactivate viruses), and also in different cleaning products."

"Triton X-100 is dangerous due to it breaking down relatively easily into octylphenol. The latter is a toxic chemical that can be very persistent in the environment. For humans it can potentially alter reproductive function, increase incidences of breast cancer, affect growth patterns and neurodevelopment in children and also change the immune function."

More information on octylphenol ethoxylate: hereherehere, and here.