Find a Clinic or

High-dose flu protection
for ages 65 and older.*

  • 4X stronger, designed specifically for seniors.**
  • No cost for Medicare Part B patients.***
Find a clinic near you or
Need a Pneumonia Shot?

They're no cost for Medicare Part B patients.***

Learn more ยป

High-Dose Information Center: Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTIONS

ANSWERS

  • Information on High-Dose Flu Vaccines

    Containing three flu strains, a high-dose flu vaccine is a flu shot aimed at defending against illness for a specific flu season.

    Containing four times the amount of antigen (the part of the vaccine that causes the body to produce antibody) in regular flu shots, high-dose flu shots, along with additional antigen, are intended to create a stronger immune response.

    With age also comes the decreased ability to have a good immune response to a flu vaccine, thus creating a greater risk for older people of severe illness from influenza. But with a higher dose of antigen, older people gain a heightened immune response.

    While Fluzone High-Dose is approved for use in people age 65 and older, people who have suffered from a severe reaction in the past, or those with a severe allergy to chicken eggs, should refrain from using the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine.

    Source: CDC http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_fluzone.htm

  • What is the Fluzone High-Dose flu vaccine and who manufactures it?

    Manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur, Inc., Fluzone High-Dose is a new flu shot designed solely for people age 65 and older.

  • How do Fluzone, Fluzone High-Dose and Fluzone Intradermal differ?

    While all injectable flu shots are made up of the three strains most likely to cause you to become ill in any given season and are developed to protect people from influzena, only Fluzone High-Dose shots contain four times the amount of anti gen (the part of the vaccine that prompts the body to make antibody) found in regular flu shots, along with additional antigen intended to produce an overall stronger immune response.

    Conversely, Fluzone Intradermal is a flu vaccine injected into the skin rather than the muscle, and it uses a much smaller needle than a regular flu shot. Recommended for adults 18-64, it also requires less antigen to be as effective as the regular flu shot. Fluzone Intradermal was licensed by the FDA for use in the United States for the 2011-2012 flu season.

  • Why is four times the antigen dose needed?

    Immune function declines with age, and four times the antigen dose primes the immune system to have a stronger response when the threat of seasonal flu is introduced.

  • What demographic is approved for this vaccine?

    The vaccine, Fluzone High-Dose, is approved for people age 65 years or older, although like all flu vaccines, it is not recommended for those who have previously experienced severe flu vaccine reactions.

  • Is there a reason High-Dose flu shots are recommended for those 65+, and not younger?

    Put plainly and simply, with age comes weaker human immune defenses, which ultimately places older people at increased risk of illness. With a higher dose of antigen in the vaccine, older people can gain a better immune response and better protect themselves against the flu.

  • Do flu vaccines with increased amounts of antigen produce better immune responses in those 65 years and older?

    According to data compiled when comparing Fluzone to Fluzone High-Dose, a stronger immune response is apparent among people 65 years or older after a vaccination with Fluzone High-Dose, though if an improved immune response provides more defense against the flu post-vaccination is currently unknown.

  • Has the CDC recommended a flu shot for people 65 and older?

    While recommending flu shots as the first and increasingly vital step in defending against the flu, the CDC and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) do not recommend one specific vaccine at this time.

  • In what form is the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine offered?

    At the moment, the vaccine can be found (and is approved for marketing) in 0.5 ml preservative-free, individual dose, prefilled syringes.

  • Can receiving Fluzone High-Dose flu vaccine be harmful?

    Similar to recipients of regular flu shots, patients who received Fluzone High-Dose reported adverse effects such as mild and temporary pain, redness and swelling at the site of injection, as well as headaches, muscle aches, fever and malaise. After receiving a Fluzone High-Dose vaccine, a majority of people in clinical studies had minimal to no side effects.

  • Where can I learn more about Fluzone High-Dose vaccines?

    Visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website for additional information.

  • Will the high-dose flu shot protect me from pneumonia?

    No. Unfortunately, it only defends against influenza. To learn about the pneumonia vaccine, visit http://www.minuteclinic.com/flu/pneumonia_vaccine/

* Flu shots and High-dose flu shots administered by a MinuteClinic practitioner. While supplies last.
** Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on 12/23/09.
*** MinuteClinic will submit flu or pneumonia shot claims to Medicare Part B for reimbursement. Eligible patients will not pay any copayments unless otherwise required by the plan.
MinuteClinic vaccinates children 18 months or older in most states; 24 months and older in Massachusetts. Flu shots available while supplies last. MinuteClinic employs physician assistants in Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina and Texas.Restrictions apply. 
© 2012