Influenza is a potentially fatal disease, affecting millions each year. The best way to protect against it is by antivirus influenza immunization. Fluvirin, produced by the company, Novartis, is a Thimerosal-preserved, inactivated influenza-vaccine.

Fluvirin is recommended everyone above the age of 18 to protect against influenza, commonly known as the “flu”. Influenza is a disease cause by the influenza types A and B. The vaccine has an inactivated influenza virus which aids to strengthen the immune system against the disease.

Great precaution should be taken in administering Fluvirin. It isn’t recommended for anyone with allergies, especially egg allergies or egg-product allergies since the virus is matured in chicken egg. People with life-threatening ailments or disorders which involve neurological disorder should not get the vaccine. It isn’t recommended for children younger than 18 years of age.

There are some minor side effects of the vaccine which includes tenderness, swelling, pain, redness, headache, fatigue and malaise. The side effects are very minor and shouldn’t be a cause of concern.

Fluvirin can be found in 5 ml multi dose vials, which consist of 10 doses and in Thimerosal free single dose syringes. A single dose is 0.5 ml that is administered intra-muscularly. It should also not be given in combination with other drugs and/or treatments.

It is not considered advisable for pregnant mothers, nursing mothers, pediatric use under the age of four and geriatric (age greater than 75 years) use. People who live in high-risk areas, have a medical occupation, during travel abroad, people who work in old-homes or long-term care centers are normally advised to get the complete influenza treatment Fluvirin provides. It is normally administered in September or October of a year, and provides protection for the next 365 days. Next year, another dose is followed up which protects against the strain of virus that is expected to be prevalent that year.