Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. By providing the information contained herein we are not diagnosing, treating, curing, mitigating, or preventing any type of disease or medical condition. Before beginning any type of natural, integrative or conventional treatment regimen, it is advisable to seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional. May contain affiliate links. Product photos/descriptions provided by company websites. This is not medical advice.
The recommended influenza (flu) vaccines might change yearly. Below are the approved influenza vaccines for the 2024-2025 season. Here is a helpful guide on abbreviations from the CDC:
Pharmaceutical Name
Trade (marketing or proprietary) name:
IIV3s: Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Trivalent Standard-dose
Afluria (Seqirus), Fluarix (GlaxoSmithKline), Flucelvax (Seqirus), FluLaval (GlaxoSmithKline), and Fluzone (Sanofi Pasteur).
HD-IIV3: High-dose Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Trivalent
Fluzone High-Dose (Sanofi Pasteur)
aIIV3: Standard-dose Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Trivalent, with MF59 adjuvant
Fluad (Seqirus)
RIV3: Recombinant Influenza Vaccine Trivalent
Flublok (Sanofi Pasteur)
LAIV3: Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine
FluMist (AstraZeneca)
Generic (nonproprietary or active ingredient) name: Influenza Vaccine Suspension for Intramuscular Injection, Influenza Vaccine Live Intranasal
Indication and Usage
Reason the product has been approved for sale on the market.
Routine annual influenza vaccination for all persons aged ≥6 months who do not have contraindications. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) created recommendations based on specific populations.
Manufacturer Insert
Ingredients
Also known as “excipients” for vaccines.
Click on the desired insert above and go to the “Description” section (typically 11) for information about each individual vaccine ingredient list.
Additionally, the Institute for Vaccine Safety has created an excipient list current as of October 2024. However, be sure to confirm the ingredients listed on the insert.
Contraindications
Per the FDA, contraindications are conditions in a recipient that increases the risk for a serious adverse reaction. Product should not be administered when a patient has a listed contraindication.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/media/pdfs/2024/08/acip-2024-25-summary-of-recommendations.pdf
Additionally, go to the desired insert for more information concerning Contraindications (typically section 4).
Warnings and Precautions
Per the FDA, warnings are clinically significant adverse reactions or risks. According to the CDC, a precaution is a condition in a recipient that might increase the risk for a serious adverse reaction, might cause diagnostic confusion, or might compromise the effectiveness of the product. In general, a product should be deferred when a precaution is present.
Click on the desired insert above and go to the “Warnings and Precautions” section (typically 5) for information on all warnings and precautions.
Manufacturer-Listed Adverse Reactions
Per the CDC, adverse reactions are an undesirable medical condition that has been demonstrated to be caused by a vaccine. Evidence for the causal relation is usually obtained through randomized clinical trials, controlled epidemiologic studies, isolation of the vaccine strain from the pathogenic site, or recurrence of the condition with repeated vaccination (i.e., rechallenge); synonyms include side effect and adverse effect.
Afluria
Thrombocytopenia (abnormally low levels of platelets in the blood), Allergic or immediate hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic shock and serum sickness, Neuralgia (pain in a nerve pathway), Paresthesia ((abnormal sensation of the skin (tingling, pricking, chilling, burning, numbness) with no apparent physical cause), Convulsions (including febrile seizures), Dizziness, Encephalomyelitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord), Encephalopathy (change in your brain function due to injury or disease), Neuritis (inflammation of one or more nerves), Neuropathy (damage or disease affecting the nerves), Transverse myelitis, GBS, Syncope (fainting), Presyncope (feeling as if about to faint), Vasculitis which may be associated with renal involvement, Musculoskeletal pain and pain in the extremity, Pruritus (itchy skin), Urticaria (hives), Rash, Cellulitis and large injection site swelling, Influenza-like illness, Injected limb mobility decreased, Pyrexia (fever), Injection site erythema, Injection site reaction including Pain, Redness, and Swelling, Myalgia (muscle pain), Itching, Bruising, Headache, Irritability, Diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Malaise (discomfort), and Fatigue.
Fluarix
Lymphadenopathy (disease of the lymph nodes), Tachycardia (heart rate that exceeds the normal resting rate), Vertigo (sensation of motion or spinning that is often described as dizziness), Conjunctivitis, Eye irritation, Eye pain, Eye redness, Eye swelling, Eyelid swelling, Abdominal pain or discomfort, Nausea, Swelling of the mouth, Throat, and/or tongue, Asthenia (weakness), Chest pain, Chills, Influenza-like illness, Feeling hot, Injection site mass, Injection site reaction, Injection site warmth, Body aches, Anaphylactic reaction including shock, Anaphylactoid reaction, Hypersensitivity, Serum sickness, Injection site abscess, Injection site cellulitis, Pharyngitis (sore throat), Rhinitis (irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose), Tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils in the upper part of the throat), Pain in extremity, Convulsion, Dizziness encephalomyelitis, Facial palsy, Facial paresis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Hypoesthesia (partial or total loss of sensation), Myelitis (inflammation of the white matter or gray matter of the spinal cord), Neuritis (inflammation of one or more nerves), Neuropathy (damage or disease affecting the nerves), Paresthesia (abnormal sensation of the skin (tingling, pricking, chilling, burning, numbness) with no apparent physical cause), Syncope (fainting), Asthma, Bronchospasm ((tightening of the muscles that line the airways in your lungs)), Cough, Dyspnea (shortness of breath), Respiratory distress, Stridor (high-pitched, wheezing sound caused by disrupted airflow), Angioedema, Erythema, Erythema multiforme, Facial swelling, Pruritus (itchy skin), Rash, Stevens Johnson syndrome, Sweating, Urticaria (hives), Henoch-Schönlein purpura, Vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels), Pain, Redness, Muscle aches, Fatigue, Headache, Swelling, Irritability, Loss of Appetite, and Drowsiness.
FluLaval
Lymphadenopathy (disease of the lymph nodes), Eye pain, Photophobia (abnormal intolerance to visual perception of light), Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), Vomiting, Chest pain, Injection site inflammation, Asthenia (weakness), Injection site rash, Abnormal gait, Injection site bruising, Injection site sterile abscess, Influenza-like symptoms, Allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, Angioedema (swelling), Rhinitis (irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose), Laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx/voice box) Cellulitis (bacterial infection involving the inner layers of the skin), Muscle weakness, Arthritis, Dizziness, Paresthesia (abnormal sensation of the skin (tingling, pricking, chilling, burning, numbness) with no apparent physical cause), Hypoesthesia (partial or total loss of sensation), Hypokinesia (decreased bodily movement), Tremor, Somnolence (state of drowsiness or strong desire to fall asleep), Syncope (fainting), Guillain-Barré syndrome, Convulsions/seizures, Facial or cranial nerve paralysis, Encephalopathy (change in your brain function due to injury or disease), Limb paralysis, Insomnia, Dyspnea (shortness of breath), Dysphonia (hoarse voice), Bronchospasm (tightening of the muscles that line the airways in your lungs), Throat tightness, Urticaria (hives), Pruritus (itchy skin), Sweating, Localized or generalized rash, Flushing, Pallor (pale color of the skin), Pain, Redness, Swelling, Fatigue, Headache, Muscle aches/arthralgia, Irritability, Drowsiness, and Loss of appetite.
Fluzone
Thrombocytopenia (abnormally low levels of platelets in the blood), Lymphadenopathy (disease of the lymph nodes), Anaphylaxis, other allergic/hypersensitivity reactions (including urticariahives, angioedema/swelling), Ocular hyperemia (too much blood in the blood vessels of the eye), Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), Convulsions, Febrile convulsions,
Myelitis (including encephalomyelitis and transverse myelitis), Facial palsy (Bell’s palsy),
Optic neuritis/neuropathy, Brachial neuritis, Syncope (fainting shortly after vaccination), Dizziness, Paresthesia (an abnormal sensation of the skin (tingling, pricking, chilling, burning, numbness) with no apparent physical cause), Vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels), vasodilatation/flushing, Dyspnea, Oropharyngeal (throat) pain, Rhinorrhea (runny nose), Cough, Wheezing, Throat tightness, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Pruritus (itchy skin), Asthenia/fatigue, Pain in extremities, Chest pain, Chills, Vomiting, Irritability, drowsiness, Myalgia (muscle pain), Headache, Malaise (discomfort), and Injection site reactions including pain, tenderness, and redness.
Fluzone High-Dose
Thrombocytopenia (abnormally low levels of platelets in the blood), Lymphadenopathy (disease of the lymph nodes), Anaphylaxis, other allergic/hypersensitivity reactions (including urticariahives, angioedema/swelling), Ocular hyperemia (too much blood in the blood vessels of the eye), Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), Convulsions, Febrile convulsions,
Myelitis (including encephalomyelitis and transverse myelitis), Facial palsy (Bell’s palsy),
Optic neuritis/neuropathy, Brachial neuritis, Syncope (fainting shortly after vaccination), Dizziness, Paresthesia (an abnormal sensation of the skin (tingling, pricking, chilling, burning, numbness) with no apparent physical cause), Vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels), vasodilatation/flushing, Dyspnea, Oropharyngeal (throat) pain, Rhinorrhea (runny nose), Cough, Wheezing, Throat tightness, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Pruritus (itchy skin), Asthenia/fatigue, Pain in extremities, Chest pain, Chills, Vomiting, Nausea, Diarrhea, Arthralgia (joint pain), Pain, Myalgia (muscle pain), Malaise (discomfort), and Headache.
Fluad
Thrombocytopenia (some cases were severe with platelet counts less than 5,000 per mm3), Lymphadenopathy (disease of the lymph nodes),Allergic reactions including anaphylactic shock (in rare cases), Anaphylaxis, Encephalomyelitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord), Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Convulsions, Neuritis (inflammation of one or more nerves), Neuralgia (pain in a nerve pathway), Paresthesia (abnormal sensation of the skin (tingling, pricking, chilling, burning, numbness) with no apparent physical cause), Syncope (fainting), Presyncope (feeling like you are going to pass out), Dizziness, Vasculitis which may be associated with transient renal involvement, Generalized skin reactions including erythema multiforme, urticaria (hives), pruritis (itchy skin) or non-specific rash, Erythema (redness of the skin or mucous membranes), Angioedema (swelling), Muscular weakness, Pain in extremity, Extensive swelling of injected limb, injection site cellulitis-like reaction, injection site swelling, peripheral swelling, Asthenia (weakness), Malaise (discomfort), Pyrexia (fever), Injection site pain, injection site tenderness, Myalgia (muscle pain), Fatigue, and Headache
Flublok
Anaphylaxis, Allergic reactions, and other forms of hypersensitivity (including urticaria/hives), Facial palsy (Bell’s palsy), Guillain-Barré syndrome, Syncope (fainting), Pain, Headache, Fatigue, and Muscle pain.
FluMist
Pericarditis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart), Exacerbation of symptoms of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy (Leigh syndrome), Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylactic reaction, facial edema/swelling, and urticaria/hives), Guillain-Barré syndrome, Bell’s Palsy, Meningitis, Eosinophilic meningitis, Vaccine-associated encephalitis (brain inflammation), Syncope (fainting), Epistaxis (nosebleed), Rash, Runny nose or nasal congestion (ages 2 years through 49 years), Fever over 100°F (children ages 2 years through 6 years), and Sore throat (adults ages 18 years through 49 years).
Analytical Deep Dive
What is informed consent?
Alternatives
Looking for alternatives? Here are some products to research:
-
Product on saleSinus Decongestant SprayOriginal price was: $12.00.$9.60Current price is: $9.60.
-
Product on saleThroat SprayOriginal price was: $15.00.$12.00Current price is: $12.00.
-
Product on saleCough SyrupOriginal price was: $17.00.$13.60Current price is: $13.60.
-
Product on saleBronchial Calm (Infant & Kid’s Cough)Original price was: $18.99.$17.09Current price is: $17.09.
-
Product on saleBaby Decongestant SalveOriginal price was: $22.00.$17.60Current price is: $17.60.
-
Product on salePeriod ReliefOriginal price was: $22.00.$17.60Current price is: $17.60.
-
Product on saleMuscle and Joint Pain LotionOriginal price was: $22.00.$17.60Current price is: $17.60.
-
Product on saleRowe Casa Organics Immunity Herbal TeaOriginal price was: $22.00.$17.60Current price is: $17.60.
-
Product on salePerfect Mushroom ImmunityOriginal price was: $19.95.$17.96Current price is: $17.96.
-
Product on saleElderberry Immune SupportOriginal price was: $23.00.$18.40Current price is: $18.40.
-
Product on saleRowe Casa Organics Sinus + Headache Decongestant SalveOriginal price was: $23.00.$18.40Current price is: $18.40.
-
Product on saleRowe Casa Organics Sinus + Headache Decongestant SprayOriginal price was: $23.00.$18.40Current price is: $18.40.
-
Product on saleRowe Casa Organics Shower SteamersOriginal price was: $23.00.$18.40Current price is: $18.40.
-
Product on saleRowe Casa Organics ElderberryOriginal price was: $23.00.$18.40Current price is: $18.40.
-
-
Product on saleImmune Liquid Vitamin C (For Infants, Kids & Adults)Original price was: $21.99.$19.79Current price is: $19.79.
-
Product on saleDr. Green Life Liquid ZincOriginal price was: $21.99.$19.79Current price is: $19.79.
-
Product on saleMagnesium GelOriginal price was: $25.00.$20.00Current price is: $20.00.
-
Product on saleUSDA Organic Temperature Tamerâ„¢ (For Infants & Kids)Original price was: $23.99.$21.59Current price is: $21.59.
-
Product on saleUSDA Organic Nature Profenâ„¢ (Infants & Kids)Original price was: $23.99.$21.59Current price is: $21.59.
-
Product on saleInflammation ReliefOriginal price was: $27.00.$21.60Current price is: $21.60.
-
Boiron Sinus Calm$21.95
-
Product on saleNerve Pain SalveOriginal price was: $28.00.$22.40Current price is: $22.40.
-
Product on saleRowe Casa Organics Breathe Essential OilOriginal price was: $29.00.$23.20Current price is: $23.20.
-
Product on saleMuscle and Joint Pain CreamOriginal price was: $32.00.$25.60Current price is: $25.60.
-
Product on salePrana Inflammation SupportOriginal price was: $33.00.$28.05Current price is: $28.05.
-
Product on saleImmunity Defense BlendOriginal price was: $33.00.$28.05Current price is: $28.05.
-
Product on saleDr. Green Life Black Cumin Seed OilOriginal price was: $33.99.$30.59Current price is: $30.59.
-
Product on saleNature Profen PMâ„¢ (Nighttime Ache Relief)Original price was: $34.99.$31.49Current price is: $31.49.
-
Product on saleNature Profenâ„¢ (Daytime Ache Relief)Original price was: $34.99.$31.49Current price is: $31.49.