inactivated, split-virion influenza vaccine

Inactivated, split-virion influenza vaccines are injectable vaccines containing fragments of purified and chemically inactivated influenza viruses. The "split" process involves disrupting the virus particles with detergents to remove internal components and reduce reactogenicity while preserving surface antigens such as hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase. These vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against the included viral strains—typically two type A subtypes (e.g., H1N1 and H3N2) and one or two type B lineages—providing protection against seasonal flu. The mechanism of action is induction of humoral immunity via neutralizing antibodies targeting viral hemagglutinin proteins. Immunity generally develops within 2–3 weeks after vaccination and lasts for 6–12 months[4][6][7]. These vaccines are indicated for prophylaxis of seasonal influenza across a wide age range starting from 6 months old[4][8]. They do not contain live virus; thus they cannot cause flu infection.

Brand names

FluzoneFLU-MQuadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (split virion, inactivated)

Other names

split-virus influenza vaccineIIV4 (inactivated influenza vaccine quadrivalent)inactivated split-virus influenza vaccine