Below are current links for the 2011/2012 influenza vaccine manufacturer's package inserts that have been licensed for use in the U.S. As a consumer, it is important to understand and read this information carefully prior to receiving a vaccine. These links are directly from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's website, which makes available to the public package insert information from vaccine manufacturers. Inserts contain important information regarding drug interactions, contraindications, adverse reactions, warnings and precautions.
Influenza vaccines are Category C drugs, which means that animal reproduction studies have not been conducted and it is not known whether these vaccines can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or if they can affect reproduction capacity.
Many influenza vaccines in the U.S. also contain the mercury preservative, Thimerosal, in amounts above federal safety guidelines. Thimerosal free influenza vaccine is also licensed in the U.S. and it is advisable to request these vaccines in advance from your healthcare provider, if your preference is the Thimerosal free version. Click
here to determine which vaccines are Thimerosal free.