2009 H1N1 flu vaccine: what you need to know

What is 2009 H1N1 flu?

The 2009 H1N1 flu, previously called swine flu, is caused by a new strain of flu virus. Fearing the name "swine" flu may affect the pork industry, the government has been using H1N1 flu since the start of the pandemic.

This flu, like other types, spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing and sometimes through touching objects tainted with the virus.
H1N1 flu symptoms include fatigue, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, chills, coughing and sneezing. Some people may also experience diarrhea and vomiting.

Most people recover within a week, but some -- particularly those with underlying medical conditions -- get other types of infections such as pneumonia. Some people have to be hospitalized and in rare cases some people die.

How is the 2009 H1N1 flu different from regular seasonal flu?

Both influenza are mild and kill few people although some health officials keep saying that H1N1 is a severe illness. What makes the H1N1 flu different from seasonal flu though is that the former is more likely to affect young people while the latter is more likely to affect older people. The H1N1 virus seems to be more infectious than the seasonal flu and it affects probably millions of people worldwide during even the summer time. Mortality rates are low and since the beginning, a couple of thousands of death are recorded that were associated with the H1N1 virus.

What should I know about 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine?

Four H1N1 flu vaccines have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Three are injectable vaccines which contain no active virus and the other one is a nasal spray type, called a Flu Mist, which contains live yet attenuated virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that these vaccines are made just like seasonal flu vaccines, they are expected to be as safe and effective as seasonal flu vaccines.

The efficacy of seasonal flu vaccines is often less than 45 percent. That is why, after a person gets a flu shot, he may still get infected with seasonal flu. According to a CDC statement, this may happen as well in people who receive the H1N1 flu vaccine.

The CDC says that the nasal spray type of H1N1 flu vaccine does not contain mercury or thimerosal as preservative. It is licensed to be used by people between the ages of 2 and 49.

The inactivated H1N1 flu vaccines contain mercury as preservative in the vaccine shots that come in a 10-shot vial. The type of vaccine that comes with a one-shot syringe does not contain mercury though.

Who should get 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine?

The live H1N1 flu vaccine is indicated for people between 2 and 49 years of age who are not pregnant and do not have certain health conditions. Priority is given to people who are from 2 through 24 years of age,
are from 25 through 49 years of age and who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age or are health care or emergency medical personnel. When more vaccines become available, other healthy people ages  25 through 49 should be vaccinated as well.

 For the injectable H1N1 vaccines, people who should receive the vaccine include

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age
• Health care and emergency medical personnel
• Anyone from 6 months through 24 years of age
• Anyone from 25 through 64 years of age with certain chronic medical conditions or a weakened immune system.

As more vaccine becomes available, these groups should also be vaccinated:
• Healthy 25 through 64 year olds
• Adults 65 years and older.

The Federal government is providing this vaccine for receipt on a voluntary basis. However, state law or employers may require vaccination for certain persons.

When should I get the vaccine?

As soon as the vaccine is available, the CDC says. On Friday, Oct. 16, the CDC advised people to contact their local health departments for information on flu shot clinics. While production of the vaccine has been slower than thought, the CDC said that the vaccine should be widely available by the end of October or early November.

How many doses do I need?

Children through 9 years of age should get 2 doses while children ages 10 and older and adults need only one dose. This is because children do not respond to the vaccine as well as adults.

Who should not get the vaccine?

The live attenuated nasal spray type of vaccine should not be given to people who have a severe allergy to eggs or any other substance in the vaccine.
The following groups of people should not be given the vaccine:
_ Children younger than 2 and adults older than 50 years;
_ pregnant women;
_ People with a weakened immune system;
_ People with a chronic health problem such as heart disease, kidney or liver disease, lung disease, metabolic disease such as diabetes, asthma, anemia and other blood disorders;
_ Children under the age of 5 with asthma or one or more episodes of wheezing during the past year;
_ Anyone who has certain muscle or nerve disorders that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems;
_ Anyone who is in close contact with a person with a severely weakened immune system;
_ Children on long term aspirin treatment.

The following is applicable for the injectable H1N1 flu vaccine:

You should not get 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine if you have a severe (life-threatening) allergy to eggs, or to any other substance in the vaccine. Tell the person giving you the vaccine if you have any severe allergies.
Also tell them if you have ever had:
• a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of seasonal flu vaccine,
• Guillain Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness also called GBS).

These may not be reasons to avoid the vaccine, but the medical staff can help you decide. If you are moderately or severely ill, you might be advised to wait until you recover before getting the vaccine.
If you have a mild cold or other illness, there is usually no need to wait. Pregnant or breastfeeding women can get inactivated 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine. Inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines, including seasonal influenza vaccine.

What are the risks from 2009 H1N1 vaccine?

Vaccines could cause a serious problem just like any medicine, such as a severe allergic reaction, although the risk is extremely small.
The observed side effects associated with the nasal spray H1N1 flu vaccine include runny nose, nasal congestion or cough, fever, headache, muscle aches, wheezing, abdominal pain or occasional vomiting or diarrhea. These have been observed in people ages 2 to 17 years.

In the group of people ages 18 to 49 years of age, side effects observed include runny nose or nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, chills, tiredness/weakness, and headache.

The CDC does not say whether any severe problems are observed. It does say that in 1976 an earlier type of inactivated swine flu vaccine was linked to cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, but the live vaccine has not been associated with GBS.

For the injectable vaccine, the following applies:
The virus in inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine has been killed, so you cannot get influenza from the vaccine.
The risks from inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine are similar to those from seasonal inactivated flu vaccine:
Mild problems:
• soreness, redness, tenderness, or swelling where the shot was given
• fainting (mainly adolescents)
• headache, muscle aches
• fever
• nausea
If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1-2 days.

Severe problems include:
• Life-threatening allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it is usually within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot.
• In 1976, an earlier type of swine flu vaccine was associated with cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Since then, flu vaccines have not been clearly linked to GBS.

What if there is a severe reaction?

Life-threatening allergic reactions to vaccines are rare. When they do occur, they occur usually within minutes to hours of the vaccination.
Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness.
If these symptoms occur, call or go to see a doctor right away. When you see the doctor, tell him what happened.

If I get injured by H1N1 flu vaccine, could I get any compensation?

The CDC says if you or your child get injured by the vaccine, your ability to sue is limited by law. The vaccine manufacturers have already obtained protection and are thus not responsible for any injury.

Although the drug makers will not give you any compensation, a federal program has been created to help pay for the medical care and other specific expenses of certain persons who have a serous reaction to THIS vaccine, according to the CDC. (David Liu and Sheilah Downey)

Editor's note: This content mostly comes from two documents released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Where necessary, the writer has added information from other sources regarding the H1N1 virus and vaccine.