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# Is there a vaccine against H1N1 (Swine flu)?
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/is_there_a_vaccine_against_h1n1_250920091048/
- Published: 2009-09-25T22:47:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:02:21.000Z
- Description: CDC describes novel H1N1 as a respiratory virus of pigs now spreading person to person, with WHO rating the outbreak a phase 6 pandemic. The agency offers flu season preparation guidance for camps, child care, schools, parents, pregnant women and employers.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Government, Health News, #vivvo-import

It is possible that the approaching [flu season](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=6804&p%5Fsid=9VGOfTIj&p%5Flva=8549&ref=foodconsumer.org) may be severe this fall, due to the H1N1 flu outbreak. The [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=3788&p%5Fsid=9VGOfTIj&p%5Flva=8549&ref=foodconsumer.org) offer [guidance for specific groups](http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/groups.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org) to prepare for the flu season.

Preparation guidelines are available for [day and residential camps](http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/camp.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org), [child care programs, schools and colleges](http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/?ref=foodconsumer.org), [parents and caregivers](http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/parents/?ref=foodconsumer.org), [pregnant women](http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/pregnancy/?ref=foodconsumer.org), [businesses and employers](http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/business/?ref=foodconsumer.org) and more.

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According to the CDC, [novel H1N1 influenza (also known as swine flu)](http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/?ref=foodconsumer.org) is a respiratory disease commonly found in pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. A novel virus is a virus that has never previously infected humans, or has not infected humans in a long time. The [World Health Organization (WHO)](http://www.who.int/en/?ref=foodconsumer.org) classifies the current [H1N1 flu outbreak](http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/?ref=foodconsumer.org) as a [phase 6 pandemic alert](http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently%5Fasked%5Fquestions/levels%5Fpandemic%5Falert/en/?ref=foodconsumer.org) .

The CDC determined that this novel virus is contagious and is spreading from person-to-person, likely in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Human infections with the novel H1N1 virus are ongoing in the United States and worldwide. H1N1 viruses are not spread by food, and you cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products. You may wish to view answers to [frequently asked questions about swine flu](http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org) or [information on H1N1 flu in Spanish](http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/espanol/?ref=foodconsumer.org).

WHO's website offers an interactive map that shows a [timeline of worldwide H1N1 flu cases](http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/interactive%5Fmap/en/?ref=foodconsumer.org) as they were reported to WHO, beginning April 26, 2009\. The CDC and [state and local health agencies](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=7157&p%5Fsid=9VGOfTIj&p%5Flva=8549&ref=foodconsumer.org) continue to work together to [track cases in the U.S.](http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org), monitor the situation and gather information about this virus.

**Please note:** The CDC warns consumers to be wary of products marketed online that claim to prevent, cure, treat, or diagnose novel H1N1 flu. You may wish to view the [H1N1 consumer fraud warning](http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/psa/consumerfraud.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org). A [list of fraudulent H1N1 products](http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/h1n1flu/?ref=foodconsumer.org) is also available from the [Food and Drug Administration (FDA)](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=4319&p%5Fsid=9VGOfTIj&p%5Flva=8549&ref=foodconsumer.org).

**Symptoms and Steps to Protect Yourself**  
The symptoms of this flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illness ([pneumonia](http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pneumonia.html?ref=foodconsumer.org) and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with novel H1N1 flu infection. Like seasonal flu, novel H1N1 flu may make underlying chronic medical conditions worse.

There are [everyday steps you can take](http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm?s%5Fcid=swineFlu%5Foutbreak%5Finternal%5F003&ref=foodconsumer.org) that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

**H1N1 Vaccinations**  
On September 15, 2009, the FDA announced that it approved four vaccines against the novel H1N1 virus. The vaccines will be distributed nationally after the initial lots become available. For more information, please visit the FDA's [Vaccines Approved for H1N1 Flu Virus web page](http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm182624.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org).

You may wish to view the CDC's [novel H1N1 vaccination recommendations web page](http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org) for more information on vaccines. Answers to [frequently asked questions about novel H1N1 vaccination planning](http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/statelocal/qa.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org) are also available.

[Flu.gov](http://www.flu.gov/?ref=foodconsumer.org) also offers information about [H1N1 vaccination and planning](http://pandemicflu.gov/individualfamily/vaccination/?ref=foodconsumer.org), as well as an [H1N1 resource kit](http://www.flu.gov/h1n1resourcekit.html?ref=foodconsumer.org) with information about what you can do to prepare for the upcoming flu season and how to protect yourself against both H1N1 influenza and other types of flu

General information about the [process and timeline of manufacturing pandemic flu vaccines](http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/h1n1%5Fvaccine%5F20090806/en/index.html?ref=foodconsumer.org) is available on the WHO website.

**Additional Resources:**

- [What to Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms](http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Avian Flu (Bird Flu)](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=6802&p%5Fsid=9VGOfTIj&p%5Flva=8549&ref=foodconsumer.org)

By usa.gov