Boostrix and Flulaval Quadravalent 2013-2014 Season

• Generic Name: diphtheria toxoid / pertussis, acellular / tetanus toxoid
• Dosage Forms: injection, suspension
• Other Brand Names: Adacel, Boostrix

Boostrix (diphtheria, tetanus acellular, and pertussis adult vaccine - also called Tdap) is used to help prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis in people who are at least 10 years old. Most people in this age group require only one Tdap shot for protection against these diseases.

Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are serious diseases caused by bacteria.

Tetanus (lockjaw) causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the victim cannot open the mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 out of 10 cases.

Diphtheria causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airways. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, or death.

Pertussis (whooping cough) causes coughing so severe that it interferes with eating, drinking, or breathing. These spells can last for weeks and can lead to pneumonia, seizures (convulsions), brain damage, and death.

Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through a cut or wound.

Boostrix is especially important for healthcare workers or people who have close contact with a baby younger than 12 months old.

Boostrix works by exposing you to a small dose of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Like any vaccine, Boostrix may not provide protection from disease in every person.

• Generic Name: influenza virus vaccine, inactivated
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Afluria, Agriflu, Fluad 2019-2020, Fluarix, Flublok Quadrivalent 2019-2020, Flucelvax, FluLaval, Fluogen, Flushield, Fluvirin, Fluzone, Flucelvax, Fluzone Intradermal Quadrivalent, Fluzone Quadrivalent, Flublok, Flublok Quadrivalent

Influenza virus vaccine is used to prevent infection by the influenza viruses. The vaccine works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the disease. It is also known as a “flu shot”.

There are many kinds of influenza viruses, but not all will cause problems in any given year. Therefore, before the influenza vaccine is produced each year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. and Canadian Public Health Services decide which viruses will most likely cause influenza infections for that year. The antigens, which are substances that cause protective antibodies to be formed, for these viruses are included in the influenza vaccine. Usually, the U.S. and Canada use the same influenza vaccine, however, they are not required to do so.

It is necessary to receive an influenza vaccine injection each year, since influenza infections are usually caused by different kinds of viruses and the protection gained by the vaccine lasts for less than a year.

Influenza is a virus infection of the throat, bronchial tubes, and lungs. It causes fever, chills, cough, headache, muscle aches, and pains in your back, arms, and legs. In addition, adults and children weakened by other diseases or medical conditions, and persons 50 years of age and older, even if they are healthy, may get a much more serious illness that may have to be treated in a hospital. Each year, thousands of people die as a result of an influenza infection.

The best way to help prevent influenza infections is to get an influenza vaccination each year, usually in early November. Immunization (getting a vaccine) against influenza is approved for infants 6 months of age and older, all children, and all adults (including 65 years of age and older).

This vaccine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor or other health care professional.