Vaxigrip suspension for injection in pre-filled syringe

Vaxigrip is indicated for the prevention of influenza disease caused by the two influenza A virus subtypes and the influenza B virus type contained in the vaccine for:

- active immunisation of adults, including pregnant women, and children from 6 months of age and older,

- passive protection of infant(s) from birth to less than 6 months of age following vaccination of pregnant women (see Sections 4.4, 4.6 and 5.1).

The use of Vaxigrip should be based on official recommendations on vaccination against influenza.

Posology

Adults: one dose of 0.5 mL.

Paediatric population

- Children from 6 months to 17 years of age: one dose of 0.5 mL.

For children less than 9 years of age who have not previously been vaccinated, a second dose of 0.5 mL should be given after an interval of at least 4 weeks.

- Infants less than 6 months of age: the safety and efficacy of Vaxigrip administration (active immunisation) have not been established. No data are available.

Regarding passive protection: one 0.5 mL dose given to pregnant women may protect infants from birth to less than 6 months of age (see Sections 4.4, 4.6 and 5.1).

Method of administration

The preferred route of administration for this vaccine is intramuscular although it can also be given subcutaneously.

The preferred sites for intramuscular injection are the anterolateral aspect of the thigh (or the deltoid muscle if muscle mass is adequate) in children 6 months through 35 months of age, or the deltoid muscle in children from 36 months of age and adults.

Precautions to be taken before handling or administering the medicinal product

For instructions on preparation of the medicinal product before administration, see Section 6.6.

Hypersensitivity to the active substances, to any of the excipients listed in Section 6.1 or to any component that may be present as traces such as eggs (ovalbumin, chicken proteins), neomycin, formaldehyde and octoxinol-9.

Traceability

In order to improve the traceability of biological medicinal products, the name and the batch number of the administered product should be clearly recorded.

Hypersensitivity

As with all injectable vaccines, appropriate medical treatment and supervision should always be readily available in case of an anaphylactic reaction following the administration of the vaccine.

Concurrent illness

Vaccination should be postponed in patients with acute febrile illness until the fever is resolved.

Precautions for use

Vaxigrip should under no circumstances be administered intravascularly.

Thrombocytopenia and coagulation disorders

As with other vaccines administered intramuscularly, the vaccine should be administered with caution to subjects with thrombocytopenia or a bleeding disorder since bleeding may occur following an intramuscular administration to these subjects.

Syncope

Syncope (fainting) can occur following, or even before, any vaccination as a psychogenic response to the needle injection. Procedures should be in place to prevent injury from fainting and manage syncopal reactions.

Protection

Vaxigrip is intended to provide protection against those strains of influenza virus from which the vaccine is prepared.

As with any vaccine, vaccination with Vaxigrip may not protect all vaccinees.

Regarding passive protection, not all infants less than 6 months of age born to women vaccinated during pregnancy will be protected (see Section 5.1).

Immunodeficiency

Antibody response in patients with endogenous or iatrogenic immunosuppression may be insufficient.

Potassium and sodium content

Vaxigrip contains less than 1 mmol potassium (39 mg) and sodium (23 mg) per dose, i.e. essentially 'potassium-free' and 'sodium-free'.

Vaxigrip could be given at the same time as other vaccines if needed.

Data showing that Vaxigrip can be administered concomitantly with other vaccines are available for the following vaccines: a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, a tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio vaccine (Tdap-IPV, Repevax), and a zoster vaccine. If Vaxigrip is given at the same time as other vaccines, separate injection sites and separate syringes should be used.

The immunological response may be reduced if the patient is undergoing immunosuppressant treatment.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women are at high risk of influenza complications, including premature labour and delivery, hospitalization, and death: pregnant women should receive an influenza vaccine.

Vaxigrip can be used in all stages of pregnancy.

Larger datasets on safety of inactivated influenza vaccines are available for the second and third trimesters than for with the first trimester. Data from worldwide use of inactivated influenza vaccines, including Vaxigrip and Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated), do not indicate any adverse foetal and maternal outcomes attributable to the vaccine.

This is consistent with results observed in one clinical study where Vaxigrip and Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) were administered in pregnant women during the second or third trimester (116 exposed pregnancies and 119 live births for Vaxigrip, 230 exposed pregnancies and 231 live births for Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated)).

Data from four clinical studies with Vaxigrip administered in pregnant women during the second or third trimester (more than 5,000 exposed pregnancies and more than 5,000 live births followed up to approximately 6 months post-partum) did not indicate any adverse foetal, newborn, infant and maternal outcomes attributable to the vaccine.

In clinical studies conducted in South Africa and Nepal, there were no significant differences between the Vaxigrip and placebo groups with regards to foetal, newborn, infant and maternal outcomes (including miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight).

In a study conducted in Mali, there were no significant differences between the Vaxigrip and control vaccine (quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine) groups with regards to prematurity rate, stillbirth rate and low birth weight/small for gestational age rate.

For additional information, see Sections 4.8 and 5.1.

Results of one reproductive study in rabbits conducted with Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) (60 µg of total amount HA/dose) can be extrapolated to Vaxigrip (45 µg of total amount HA /dose): this study did not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to pregnancy, embryo-foetal development or early post-natal development.

Breast-feeding

Vaxigrip may be used during breast-feeding.

Fertility

No fertility data are available in Humans. One animal study with Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) did not indicate harmful effects on female fertility.

Vaxigrip has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Summary of the safety profile

The safety profile of Vaxigrip is based on data from 46 clinical studies in which approximately 17 900 participants from 6 months of age received Vaxigrip or Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated), and data from post-marketing surveillance.

Most of adverse reactions usually occurred within the first 3 days after vaccination and resolved spontaneously within 1 to 3 days after onset. The intensity of most these reactions was mild to moderate.

The most frequently reported adverse reaction after vaccination, in all populations including the whole group of children from 6 to 35 months of age, was injection site pain.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Adverse events are ranked under headings of frequency using the following convention:

Very common (≥1/10);

Common (≥1/100 to <1/10);

Uncommon (≥1/1 000 to <1/100);

Rare (≥1/10 000 to <1/1 000);

Not known (cannot be estimated from available data).

Adult and elderly

The safety profile is based on data:

- from clinical studies in more than 8 000 adults (5 064 for Vaxigrip, 3 040 for Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated)) and more than 5 800 elderly over 60 years of age (4 468 for Vaxigrip, 1 392 for Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated)),

- from worldwide post-marketing surveillance in the overall population.

In adults, the most frequently reported adverse reactions after vaccination were injection site pain (52.8%), headache (27.8%), myalgia (23.0%), malaise (19.2%).

In the elderly, the most frequently reported adverse reactions after vaccination were injection site pain (25.8%), headache (15.6%), myalgia (13.9%).

Table 1: Adverse reactions reported in adults and elderly

⁽¹⁾ Rare in elderly

⁽²⁾ Reported during clinical trials in adults

⁽³⁾ Not known in elderly

⁽⁴⁾ Rare in adults

⁽⁵⁾ Reported during clinical trials in elderly

⁽⁶⁾ Common in elderly

⁽⁷⁾ Uncommon in elderly

(*) Adverse reactions reported post-marketing after use of Vaxigrip or Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated)

Paediatric population

The safety profile is based on data:

- from clinical studies in 1 247 children from 3 to 8 years of age (363 for Vaxigrip, 884 for Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated)) and in 725 children/adolescents from 9 to 17 years of age (296 for Vaxigrip, 429 for Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated)),

- from one clinical study in 1 981 children from 6 to 35 months of age (367 for Vaxigrip, 1 614 for Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated)),

- from worldwide post-marketing surveillance in the overall population.

Depending on immunization history, children from 6 months to 8 years of age received one or two doses of Vaxigrip or Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated). Children/adolescents from 9 to 17 years of age received one dose.

In children from 6 months to 8 years of age, the safety profile was similar after the first and the second injections with a trend of lower incidence of adverse reactions after the second injection compared to the first one in children from 6 to 35 months.

In children/adolescents from 9 to 17 years of age, the most frequently reported adverse reactions after vaccination were injection site pain (65.3%), myalgia (29.1%), headache (28.6%), malaise (20.3%), shivering (13.0%), injection site erythema (11.7%) and injection site swelling (11.4%).

In children from 3 to 8 years of age, the most frequently reported adverse reactions after any vaccination were injection site pain (59.1%), malaise (30.7%), injection site erythema (30.3%), myalgia (28.5%), headache (25.7%), injection site swelling (22.1%), injection site induration (17.6%), and shivering (11.2%).

In children from 6 to 35 months of age, the most frequently reported adverse reactions after any vaccination were injection site pain/tenderness (29.4%), fever (20.4%) and injection site erythema (17.2%).

• In subpopulation of children from 6 to 23 months of age, the most frequently reported adverse reactions after any vaccination were irritability (34.9%), crying abnormal (31.9%), appetite lost (28.9%), drowsiness (19.2%) and vomiting (17.0%).

• In subpopulation of children from 24 to 35 months of age, the most frequently reported adverse reactions after any vaccination was malaise (26.8%). myalgia (14.5%), headache (11.9%).

Table 2: Adverse reactions reported in children and adolescents from 6 months to 17 years of age

(*) Adverse reactions reported post-marketing after use of Vaxigrip or Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated)

Other special populations

Although only a limited number of subjects with co-morbidities were enrolled, studies conducted in patients with co-morbidities such as renal transplant or asthmatic patients, showed no major differences in terms of safety profile of Vaxigrip and Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) in these populations.

Pregnant women

In clinical studies conducted in pregnant women in South Africa and Mali with Vaxigrip (see Sections 4.6 and 5.1), frequencies of local and systemic solicited reactions reported within 7 days following administration of the vaccine, were consistent with those reported for the adult population during clinical studies. In the study conducted in South Africa, local reactions were more frequent in the Vaxigrip group than in the placebo group in both HIV-negative and HIV-positive cohorts. There were no other significant differences in solicited reactions between Vaxigrip and placebo groups in both cohorts.

In one clinical study conducted in pregnant women in Finland with Vaxigrip and Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) (see Sections 4.6 and 5.1), frequencies of reported local and systemic solicited reactions were consistent with those reported for the non-pregnant adult population during clinical studies conducted with Vaxigrip or Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) even though higher for some adverse reactions (injection site pain, injection site erythema, malaise, shivering, headache, myalgia).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Cases of administration of more than the recommended dose (overdose) have been reported with Vaxigrip. When adverse reactions were reported, the information was consistent with the known safety profile of Vaxigrip described in Section 4.8.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Influenza vaccine, ATC code: J07BB02

Mechanism of action

Vaxigrip provides active immunisation against three influenza virus strains (two A subtypes and one B type) contained in the vaccine.

Vaxigrip induces humoral antibodies against the haemagglutinins within 2 to 3 weeks. These antibodies neutralise influenza viruses.

In infants less than 6 months of age born to women vaccinated with Vaxigrip during pregnancy, protection is due to transplacental transfer of these neutralizing antibodies.

Specific levels of haemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) antibody titer post-vaccination with inactivated influenza virus vaccines have not been correlated with protection from influenza illness but the HAI antibody titers have been used as a measure of vaccine activity. In some human challenge studies, HAI antibody titers of ≥1/40 have been associated with protection from influenza illness in up to 50% of subjects.

Since influenza viruses constantly evolve, the virus strains selected in the vaccine are reviewed annually by the WHO.

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended given the duration of immunity provided by the vaccine and because circulating strains of influenza virus change from year to year.

Efficacy

Efficacy data of Vaxigrip are available in pregnant women and in infants less than 6 months of age born to vaccinated pregnant women (passive protection).

No efficacy studies were performed with Vaxigrip in children and adolescents from 9 to 17 years of age, in adults and in the elderly.

In children from 6 to 35 months of age and from 3 to 8 years of age (active immunisation), Vaxigrip efficacy is based on extrapolation of Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) efficacy.

- Infants less than 6 months of age born to vaccinated pregnant women (passive protection)

Infants less than 6 months of age are at high risk of influenza, resulting in high rates of hospitalization; however influenza vaccines are not indicated for active immunisation in this age group.

Efficacy in infants of women who received a single 0.5 mL dose of Vaxigrip during the second or third trimester of pregnancy has been demonstrated in clinical trials.

Efficacy of Vaxigrip in infants following vaccination of pregnant women during the first trimester has not been studied in these trials. Necessary influenza vaccination during the first trimester should not be postponed (see Section 4.6).

In randomized, controlled phase IV clinical studies conducted in Mali, Nepal and South Africa, approximately 5 000 pregnant women received Vaxigrip and approximately 5 000 pregnant women received placebo or control vaccine (quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine) during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Vaccine efficacy against laboratory confirmed influenza in pregnant women was evaluated as a secondary endpoint in all three studies.

The studies conducted in Mali and South Africa demonstrated the efficacy of Vaxigrip for the prevention of influenza in pregnant women following vaccination during these trimesters of pregnancy (see Table 3). In the study conducted in Nepal, the efficacy of Vaxigrip for the prevention of influenza in pregnant women following vaccination during these trimesters of pregnancy was not demonstrated.

Table 3: Influenza Attack Rates and Vaxigrip Efficacy against Laboratory-confirmed influenza in pregnant women

* Meningococcal vaccine

N: Number of pregnant women included in analysis

n: number of subjects with laboratory confirmed influenza

CI: Confidence Interval

In the same randomized, controlled phase IV clinical studies conducted in Mali, Nepal and South Africa, 4530 of 4898 (92%) infants born to pregnant women who received Vaxigrip and 4 532 of 4 868 (93%) infants born to pregnant women who received a placebo or control vaccine (quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine) (see Table 4) during the second or third trimester of pregnancy, were followed up until approximately 6 months of age.

The studies confirmed the efficacy of Vaxigrip for prevention of influenza in infants from birth until approximately 6 months of age following vaccination of women during these trimesters of pregnancy. Women in their first trimester of pregnancy were not included in these studies; Vaxigrip efficacy in infants born to mothers vaccinated during the first trimester could therefore not be evaluated.

Table 4: Influenza Attack Rates and Vaxigrip Efficacy against Laboratory-confirmed influenza in infants following vaccination in pregnant women

* Meningococcal vaccine

N: Number of infants included in the analysis

n: number of subjects with laboratory-confirmed influenza

CI: Confidence Interval

The efficacy data indicate a waning protection of the infants born to vaccinated mothers by time after birth.

In the trial conducted in South Africa, vaccine efficacy was highest among infants 8 weeks of age or younger (85.8% [95% CI, 38.3 to 98.4]) and decreased over time; vaccine efficacy was 25.5% (95% CI, -67.9 to 67.8) for infants >8 to 16 weeks of age and 30.4% (95% CI, -154.9 to 82.6) for infants >16 to 24 weeks of age.

In the trial conducted in Mali, there is also a trend of higher efficacy of Vaxigrip in infants during the first 4 months after birth, with lower efficacy within the 5^th month of surveillance and a marked fall within the 6^th month where protection is no longer evident.

The prevention of influenza disease can only be expected if the infant(s) are exposed to strains included in the vaccine administered to the mother.

- Children from 6 to 35 months of age (active immunisation):

A randomized placebo controlled study was conducted in 4 regions (Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe) over 4 influenza seasons, in more than 5 400 children from 6 to 35 months of age who received two doses (0.5 mL) of Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) (N=2 722), or placebo (N=2 717) 28 days apart to assess Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) efficacy for the prevention of laboratory-confirmed influenza illness caused by any strain A and/or B and caused by vaccine similar strains (as determined by sequencing).

Laboratory-confirmed influenza illness was defined as influenza like-illness (ILI) [occurrence of fever ≥38°C (that lasts at least 24 hours) concurrently with at least one of the following symptoms: cough, nasal congestion, rhinorrhoea, pharyngitis, otitis, vomiting, or diarrhoea], laboratory-confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and/or viral culture.

Table 5: Influenza Attack Rates and Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) Efficacy against laboratory-confirmed influenza illness in children from 6 to 35 months of age

N: Number of children analysed (full set)

n: number of subjects fulfilling the item listed

CI: Confidence Interval

In addition, a predefined complementary analysis showed Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) prevented 56.6% (95% CI: 37.0; 70.5) of severe laboratory-confirmed influenza illnesses due to any strain, and 71.7% (95% CI: 43.7; 86.9) of severe laboratory-confirmed influenza illnesses due to vaccine-similar strains. Furthermore, subjects receiving Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) were 59.2% (95% CI: 44.4; 70.4) less likely to experience a medically attended influenza illness than subjects receiving placebo.

Severe laboratory-confirmed influenza illnesses were defined as ILI laboratory-confirmed by RT-PCR and/or viral culture with at least one of the following items:

- fever >39.5°C for subjects aged <24 months or ≥39.0°C for subjects aged ≥24 months,

- and/or at least one significant ILI symptom which prevents daily activity (cough, nasal congestion, rhinorrhoea, pharyngitis, otitis, vomiting, diarrhoea),

- and/or one of the following events: acute otitis media, acute lower respiratory infection (pneumonia, bronchiolitis, bronchitis, croup), inpatient hospitalization.

- Children from 3 to 8 years of age (active immunisation):

Based on immune responses of Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) observed in children 3 to 8 years of age, the efficacy of Vaxigrip in this population is expected to be at least similar to the efficacy observed in children from 6 to 35 months (see “Children from 6 to 35 months of age (active immunisation)“ above and “Immunogenicity” below).

Immunogenicity

Clinical studies performed in adults from 18 to 60 years of age, in elderly over 60 years of age, in children from 3 to 8 years of age and from 6 to 35 months of age described Vaxigrip (TIV) and Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) (QIV) immune response for HAI Geometric mean antibody titer (GMT) at Day 21 (for adults) and at Day 28 (for children), HAI seroconversion rate (4-fold rise in reciprocal titer or change from undetectable [<10] to a reciprocal titer of ≥40), and HAI GMTR (post-/pre-vaccination titers).

One clinical study performed in adults from 18 to 60 years of age and in children from 9 to 17 years of age described the immune response of Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) and Vaxigrip for HAI GMT at Day 21. Another clinical study performed in children from 9 to 17 years of age described the immune response of Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated).

One clinical study performed in pregnant women described the immune response of Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) and Vaxigrip for HAI GMT at Day 21, HAI seroconversion rate, and HAI GMTR after one dose administered during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. In this study, the transplacental transfer was evaluated using HAI GMTs of maternal blood, of cord blood and the ratio of cord blood/maternal blood, at delivery.

Overall, Vaxigrip induced an immune response to the 3 influenza strains contained in the vaccine.

In children from 3 years of age, in adults including pregnant women and in the elderly, Vaxigrip was as immunogenic as Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) for the strains in common.

Antibody persistence was assessed in adults, elderly and children from 6 to 35 months of age. The duration of post-vaccinal induced immunity lasted at least 12 months.

- Adults and elderly

In one clinical study, the immune response was described in adults from 18 to 60 years of age and elderly over 60 years of age who received one 0.5-mL dose of Vaxigrip or Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated).

The immunogenicity results by HAI method in adults from 18 to 60 years of age and elderly over 60 years of age are presented in Table 6.

Table 6: Immunogenicity results in adults from 18 to 60 years of age and in elderly over 60 years of age, 21 days after vaccination with Vaxigrip or Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated)

N: number of subjects with available data for the considered endpoint

GMT: Geometric Mean Titer; CI: Confidence Interval

(a) Alternative TIV containing A/California/7/2009 (H1N1), A/Texas/50/2012 (H3N2), and B/Brisbane/60/2008 (Victoria lineage)

(b) 2014-2015 licensed TIV containing A/California/7/2009 (H1N1), A/Texas/50/2012 (H3N2), and B/Massachusetts/2/2012 (Yamagata lineage)

(c) Pooled TIV group includes participants vaccinated with either alternative TIV or licensed TIV, N= 278 for adults and N=275 for elderly

(d) N=833 for QIV group in adults; N=832 for QIV group in elderly

(e) SC: Seroconversion or significant increase: for subjects with a pre-vaccination titer <10 (1/dil), proportion of subjects with a post-vaccination titer ≥40 (1/dil) and for subjects with a pre-vaccination titer ≥10 (1/dil), proportion of subjects with a ≥four-fold increase from pre- to post-vaccination titer

(f) GMTR: Geometric mean of individual titer ratios (post-/pre-vaccination titers)

- Pregnant women and transplacental transfer

In one clinical study, a total of 116 pregnant women received Vaxigrip and 230 pregnant women received Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) during the second or third trimester of pregnancy (from 20 to 32 weeks of pregnancy).

Immunogenicity results by HAI method, in pregnant women 21 days after vaccination with Vaxigrip or Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) are presented in Table 7.

Table 7: Immunogenicity results by HAI method in pregnant women, 21 days after vaccination with Vaxigrip or Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated)

N: number of subjects with available data for the considered endpoint

GMT: Geometric Mean Titer; CI: Confidence Interval

*A/H1N1: A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus; A/H3N2: A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus;

B1: B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus (B/Victoria lineage): this strain was included in the TIV composition;

B2: B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus (B/Yamagata lineage): this strain was not included in the TIV composition.

(a) SC: Seroconversion or significant increase: for subjects with a pre-vaccination titer <10 (1/dil), proportion of subjects with a post-vaccination titer ≥40 (1/dil) and for subjects with a pre-vaccination titer ≥10 (1/dil), proportion of subjects with a ≥four-fold increase from pre- to post-vaccination titer

(b) GMTR: Geometric mean of individual titer ratios (post-/pre-vaccination titers)

Immunogenicity descriptive assessment by HAI method, at delivery, in blood sample of mother (BL03M), in cord blood sample (BL03B) and of the transplacental transfer (BL03B/ BL03M) are presented in Table 8.

Table 8: Immunogenicity descriptive assessment by HAI method of Vaxigrip or Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated), at delivery

At delivery, the higher level of antibodies in the cord sample compared to the maternal sample is consistent with transplacental antibody transfer from mother to the newborn following vaccination of women with Vaxigrip or Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) during the second or third trimester of pregnancy.

These data are consistent with the passive protection demonstrated in infants from birth to approximately 6 months of age following vaccination of women during the second or third trimester of pregnancy with Vaxigrip in studies conducted in Mali, Nepal, and South Africa (see subsection Efficacy).

- Paediatric population

• Children from 9 to 17 years of age

In a total of 55 children from 9 to 17 years of age who received one dose of Vaxigrip and 429 who received one dose of Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated), the immune response against the strains contained in the vaccine was similar to the immune response induced in adults 18 to 60 years of age.

• Children from 3 years to 8 years of age

In one clinical study, the immune response was described in children from 3 to 8 years of age who received either one or two 0.5-mL doses of Vaxigrip or Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated), depending on their previous influenza vaccination history.

Children who received a one- or two-dose schedule of Vaxigrip or Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) presented a similar immune response following the last dose of the respective schedule.

The immunogenicity results by HAI method 28 days after receipt of the last injection are presented in Table 9.

• Children from 6 months to 35 months of age

In one clinical trial, the immune response was described in children from 6 to 35 months of age who received two 0.5-mL doses of Vaxigrip or Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated).

The immunogenicity results by HAI method, 28 days after receipt of the last injection are presented in Table 9.

Table 9: Immunogenicity results in children from 6 months to 35 months of age and from 3 to 8 years of age, 28 days after the last injection of Vaxigrip or Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated)

N=number of subjects with available data for the considered endpoint

GMT: Geometric Mean Titer; CI: Confidence Interval

(a) Alternative TIV containing A/California/7/2009 (H1N1), A/Texas/50/2012 (H3N2), and B/Brisbane/60/2008 (Victoria lineage)

(b) 2014-2015 licensed TIV containing A/California/7/2009 (H1N1), A/Texas/50/2012 (H3N2), and B/Massachusetts/2/2012 (Yamagata lineage)

(c) Dose of 0.5 mL in children 6-35 months of age

(d) For children -3-8 years of age: pooled TIV group includes participants vaccinated with either alternative TIV or licensed TIV, N=344

(e) N=169 for TIV (B Yamagata) group in children 3-8 years of age

(f) N=862 for QIV group in children 3-8 years of age

(g) For alternative TIV (B Victoria) group: N=171 for children 6-35 months of age; N=175 for children 3-8 years of age

(h) SC: Seroconversion or significant increase: for subjects with a pre-vaccination titer <10 (1/dil), proportion of subjects with a post-vaccination titer ≥40 (1/dil) and for subjects with a pre-vaccination titer ≥10 (1/dil), proportion of subjects with a ≥four-fold increase from pre- to post-vaccination titer

(i) GMTR: Geometric mean of individual titer ratios (post-/pre-vaccination titers)

These immunogenicity data provide supportive information in addition to efficacy data available in children from 6 to 35 months of age (see Section Efficacy).

Not applicable.

Data in animals generated with Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated) (60 µg of total amount HA/dose) can be extrapolated to Vaxigrip (45 µg of total amount HA/dose): these data revealed no unexpected findings and no target organ toxicity.

Buffer solution:

• Sodium chloride

• Potassium chloride

• Disodium phosphate dihydrate

• Potassium dihydrogen phosphate

• Water for injections

In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products.

1 year.

Store in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C). Do not freeze. Keep the syringe in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

Vaxigrip remains stable for 72 hours up to 25°C ±2°C. This is not a recommended storage condition, but it is intended to guide healthcare professionals in case of temporary temperature excursion only.

0.5 mL of suspension in pre-filled syringe (type I glass) with attached needle, equipped with a plunger stopper (elastomer bromobutyl) – pack size of 1 or 10.

0.5 mL of suspension in pre-filled syringe (type I glass) equipped with a plunger stopper (elastomer bromobutyl) and a tip cap:

- Pack size of 1 or 10 pre-filled syringe(s) without needle(s)

- Pack size of 1 or 10 pre-filled syringe(s) with separate needle(s) (stainless steel)

- Pack size of 1 or 10 pre-filled syringe(s) with separate needle(s) (stainless steel) with safety shield (polycarbonate)

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

The vaccine should be allowed to reach room temperature before use.

Shake before use.

Preparation for administration

The syringe with suspension for injection should be visually inspected prior to administration. In the event of any foreign particulate matter, leakage, premature activation of the plunger or faulty tip seal, discard the pre-filled syringe.

The syringe is intended for single use only and must not be reused.

Instructions for use of Luer Lock pre-filled syringe:

Picture A: Luer Lock syringe with Rigid Tip Cap

<Instructions for use of Safety Needle with Luer Lock pre-filled syringe:

Follow Step 1 and 2 above to prepare the Luer Lock syringe and needle for attachment.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.