The H1N1 Vaccine – FAQs

As the H1N1 (or novel swine flu) vaccine arrives in the metro area, many of my patients have been left with questions regarding the safety and effectiveness of this new vaccine. See below for my answers to the most commonly asked questions.

What would you recommend?
It is your decision whether you choose to get the H1N1 vaccine or not. I chose to receive it and will have my two kids vaccinated when the supply becomes available. However, always talk to your primary care physician to make sure the H1N1 vaccine, and all other vaccines, are right for you.

When can I get the H1N1 vaccine?
Due to high demand and slow production time, the Kansas City metro area has received a small supply of the H1N1 vaccine. Only people at high risk for complications from the flu or serving in direct patient care are advised to receive these first doses.

However, the U.S. government has purchased 250 million vaccine doses, so everyone should have the opportunity to receive the H1N1 vaccine as the supply increases.

How will I know when it’s available to me?
Clinics will likely vary in their approach when providing the vaccine to priority groups. The availability will also vary based on how the public entities distribute the vaccine to those medical groups that applied for the vaccine. It could be as late as January before it is widely available.

Who should receive the vaccine?
Those who should receive the H1N1 vaccine include pregnant women, caregivers of infants less than six months old, people ages six months to 24 years and individuals ages 25-64 with chronic health conditions.

Once the vaccine supply has reached those targeted populations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all people ages 25-64 get vaccinated.

What’s the difference between the nasal spray and the injectable vaccine?
The flu shot includes a dead H1N1 virus that cannot cause illness. The nasal spray (or FluMist) includes a live virus that is weakened to the point it cannot cause illness. FluMist is only available for those between the ages of 2-49, without chronic health conditions or on a medication that lowers the ability to fight infection.

Is the vaccine safe?
There are risks associated with any vaccine. For example, people who are allergic to eggs should not get the vaccine as chicken eggs are used in the production process. However, there is no reason to believe there are any additional risks than with the seasonal flu vaccine. The H1N1 vaccine is FDA-approved, meaning the side effects of receiving the vaccine are calculated to be much less risky than if you contracted the H1N1 virus.

It is important to remember that the H1N1 flu vaccine is manufactured using the same method as for the traditional seasonal flu vaccine. The only difference is the flu strain put into the vaccine. When the H1N1 viral strain was discovered last spring, production for the seasonal flu vaccines had already begun. Had the H1N1 strain been discovered sooner, it would have likely been included in the seasonal flu vaccine.

Like every vaccine, you may incur side effects, including soreness or redness at the injection site, headache, tiredness or low fever.

For more information on the H1N1 virus, click here.