Influenza Virus Vaccine H5N1, Injection in-floo-EN-za VY-rus vak-SEEN

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: vaccine

Generic and brand names: influenza virus vaccine H5N1, injection

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (a shot) to adults from 18 through 64 years of age who are at increased risk of exposure to the H5N1 influenza virus. This medicine provides protection against the bird flu virus.

The vaccine will not be available to the public commercially. It can't be obtained from a doctor's office. It has been purchased by the federal government for the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile. If it is ever needed, it will be distributed by the Department of Health and Human Services.

What should the healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell the healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine or vaccine, or to eggs
• a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV/AIDS, from cancer chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or from taking immunosuppressant medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection or steroid medicines to treat arthritis
• Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)

Tell the healthcare provider if you currently have an infection of any kind.

Females of childbearing age: Talk with the healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed right after receiving this medicine without a healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine must be given by a healthcare provider. The shot is given in the muscle of the upper arm. A second dose of the vaccine should be given 21 to 35 days later.

What should I watch out for?

For a day or two after you get the vaccine, you may feel sore where you had the shot.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical treatment or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing).

Serious (report this to your healthcare provider right away): High fever.

Other: Soreness, redness, or mild swelling where the shot was given, tiredness, muscle pain, headache, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, nausea.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you receive this medicine while you are taking other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Tell the healthcare provider if you are taking:

• immunosuppressants such as azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf), mycophenolate (CellCept), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf)
• corticosteroids such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone, dexamethasone, fludrocortisone (Florinef), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Orapred), prednisone, and triamcinolone (Aristospan, Kenalog)
• radiation treatment or chemotherapy (this vaccine may not be effective)

Keep a record of all vaccines received and when you received them.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.