| | |  Health & Beauty | November 2009 
H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Vaccine Q&A - Answers to Your Important Questions
 MayoClinic.com
November 11, 2009
After the novel H1N1 swine flu virus was first isolated, scientists moved quickly to develop a swine flu vaccine. Thanks to their work, a novel H1N1 vaccine was developed for distribution this fall. James Steckelberg, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at Mayo Clinic, reviews what you need to know.
Q: Is the swine flu vaccine as safe as other vaccines?
A: Yes. Its nonvirus components are the same as those used in the seasonal flu vaccine, which has been tested extensively and monitored for serious reactions for several years. The only difference is that in the swine flu vaccine, novel H1N1 virus replaces the influenza A viruses used in the regular vaccine.
Q: Is there a version of the vaccine that doesn't contain the preservative thimerosal?
A: Yes. The nasal spray is preservative-free, as is injectable vaccine in filled, single-dose syringes. Multiple-dose vials do contain thimerosal.
Q: If I get the swine flu vaccine, will I still have to get the regular flu vaccine, too?
A: Yes. The regular flu shot protects you against seasonal influenza viruses that remain in circulation all the time but occur in epidemics every fall and winter. Most people should get this annual shot.
Regular flu shots protect you from more than one strain of influenza. This year, the seasonal flu shot includes one H1N1 strainbut that virus and the one the swine flu vaccine guards against are not the same. A number of H1N1 viruses have been isolated over the years, and they'll keep cropping up because flu viruses are always rearranging their DNA. Novel swine influenza H1N1 is just the newest one.
The swine flu vaccine targets the H1N1 virus that made its first reported appearance in the United States and Mexico in spring 2009. The virus was quickly isolated and characterized as a new infectious agent. With novel swine flu H1N1 spreading in every region of the globe, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the infection a pandemic.
Q: Who should get the swine flu vaccine?
A: In the United States, the swine flu vaccine is recommended for:
Pregnant women. The risk of swine flu complications is higher during pregnancy. Mothers can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated.
Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age. Younger infants are at higher risk of flu complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might reduce the infants' risk of exposure to the virus.
Health care and emergency medical services personnel. Infections have been reported among health care workers, who can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in health care workers could reduce health care system capacity.
Babies, children and teens, from 6 months through 18 years of age. Many cases of novel H1N1 influenza have occurred in children. Influenza viruses spread easily in school and child care, and children infected in these settings carry the infection to their families.
Young adults, from 19 through 24 years of age. Immunization is important for young adults because they tend to live, work, and study in close proximity, and they move and travel often.
People ages 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza. These conditions include heart disease, lung disease and some types of cancer.
Q: What if there's not enough swine flu vaccine for everyone?
A: It's possible that demand for the swine flu vaccine will be higher than expected or some other unpredictable factor will slow vaccine production and distribution, particularly in the early stages of vaccine rollout. If necessary, these subgroups will have first access to the swine flu vaccine:
Pregnant women
People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
Health care and emergency services personnel with direct patient contact
Children 6 months through 4 years of age
Children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions |
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