Safety of H1N1 Influenza Mist & Injected Vaccine

Two Types of Swine Flu Vaccination Formulas, Spray vs. Injectiion

Oct 8, 2009
Tami Port

Is the New H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Safe? - Purchased from iStock, image #5255912

The new H1N1 swine flu vaccines are now available. Are they safe? Which formulation is better? Here is what the infectious disease experts are saying.

Before even comparing flu vaccine formulations, the primary question is, “Is this brand new swine flu vaccine safe?” This question was addressed on the October 7th, 2009 NPR Diane Rehm show, when she interviewed three infectious disease experts regarding the H1N1 swine flu vaccine plans. The physicians included:

Dr. Michael Osterholm, Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/NIH.
Dr. Robert Pestronk, Executive Director of the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

Safety of the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine

Much of Rehm's show centered on questions regarding the safety of this new pandemic flu vaccinnation. All three experts agreed that, although the H1N1 vaccine is new, it is still an influenza vaccine. The H1N1 vaccine is produced in much the same way as influenza vaccines have been for decades, same processes, same materials, slightly different virus. Therefore the safety of this new vaccine is expected to be comparable to that of any flu vaccine, with serious adverse reactions being almost unheard of.

In contrast, the risks of not being vaccinated against H1N1 can be severe, particularly for children, pregnant women and those with preexisting medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to respiratory illnesses. These populations will be the first to receive the swine flu vaccine.

Are Doctors Getting Their Loved Ones Vaccinated?

In addition to providing his professional insight, Dr. Osterholm also made a compelling personal argument for the importance of H1N1 vaccination. The doctor’s daughter is currently pregnant with his first grandchild, and he is eager, even impatient, for her to have access to the vaccine. Osterholm has no worries about this vaccine's safety, but voiced plenty of concern about the danger that H1N1 could pose to his daughter and her unborn child.

Which is Better, the Flu Mist or Injection?

The doctors on Rehm’s panel explained that the safety and efficacy data for both formulations of vaccine--nasal spray and injection--are very comparable. The flu injectable vaccine is a made with an inactivated H1N1 virus, meaning that the virus has been altered in such a way that it cannot reproduce in the body and cause infection. In contrast, the mist is an attenuated or weakened virus. This means that the virus can, and must, reproduce inside the body in order to confer immunity. But as a weakened virus, it is also incapable of causing influenza illness.

To learn more about the official recommendations regarding seasonal and swine flu vaccination, see the information on the CDC’s influenza web pages, or read the Suite101 article on simple steps to help avoid becoming sick with influenza.

Sources

National Public Radio, Diane Rehm Show, H1N1 Vaccine Plans, aired on October 7, 2009.

H1N1 Flu Web Pages of the Center for Disease Control, updated as of October 2, 2009.

Please note: The information in this article is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with your health care provider regarding your own personal health and necessary treatments.

Tami Port - Tami Port is a college professor of cell and microbiology and creator of ScienceProfOnline.com, a free science education website.

Imprortance of Getting Vaccinated Against H1N1 - CDC Drs. Goldsmith & Rollin, Public Domain

Avoid Falling Ill inthe H1N1 Influenza Pandemic - CDC Public Health Image Library

Protect Yourself From the New H1N1 Swine Flu Virus - Purchased from iStock, SDominick #9280542

Comparison of Flu Mist and Injection - Public Health Image Library #9364

Comments

Oct 9, 2009 2:37 PM

Guest :

let's get real people this is such a joke. would you want mercury and aluminum in your body? I think not. Just another way to waste our hard earned money to make a drug that is harmful to your body. I surely would not have a pregnant women or a young child or anybody taking that shot or mist spray it will do more harm than good on the human body. but as usual they will sugar coat it to make it sound good!!
ms davis

Oct 9, 2009 3:38 PM

Tami Port :

The comment by Ms. Davis is unfortunately borne of ignorance. I am a microbiologist. The H1N1 vaccine is something that everyone at high risk for serious complications from novel H1N1 influenza absolutely should have. The experts from the CDC, NIH and World Health Organization (WHO) all attest to the safety and importance of this and other influenza vaccines. Vaccines have reduced the incidence of deadly infectious disease so much that we now have the luxury of not remembering what a serious pandemic is like to live through. If you are a doubter, read any historical account of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic that killed tens of millions of people. This type of infectious disease mortality is something that people today cannot even fathom. Readers, do you want to base your health care decisions on the recommendation of people who have spent their lives studying infectious disease, or on the misinformation in Ms. Davis' comment? Ms. Davis, please share with me, and my readers, which public health organization you are an affiliated expert with...the CDC, NIH, WHO? Do you teach college microbiology? I didn't think so. Comments like yours are more than misleading; they are dangerous. If your opinion leads to someone at risk not being vaccinated, and becoming seriously ill or dying, how are you going to sleep at night?

Oct 13, 2009 2:29 PM

Guest :

I agree with guest comment from 10/9/09. This is such a new strain and a new vaccine, that how could there possible have been adequate research. I feel there should NEVER be live forms of any virus in any vaccine. That puts others at risk, and I don't believe for a second it is incapable of causing influenza virus. Particularly, when it only takes a few microbes to infect. Also, 30,000 or more people die each year from all types of influenza, so why has that fallen to the wayside. We should be finding ways to treat and cure these viruses quickly, rather than spending so much time and money on vaccinations that don't always work, if at all. I see countless, I mean COUNTLESS people who receive the flu vaccines each year, and still get the flu. Many of these people are in the so called "high risk" categories, and still some die even though they've been vaccinated. Vaccine related side effects and illnesses go far too unreported, and are far too often blown off as unrelated. Those that are reported are dismissed, but never do we see any real, unbiased proof that the vaccine isn't what caused the problem. I've done a lot of research over the years, and do not feel that these opinions are "borne of ingnorance" as stated by Tami Port on 10/9/09. People are not being heard. Victims are not being heard, and are being brushed off. People are being bullied into getting their children vaccinated. In my opinion, the risk is too great. Also, I feel the comment from Tami Port is harsh to ask how the person can sleep at night. I wonder how these microbiologists, doctors, etc, sleep at night, when people are falling ill and dying from vaccines, and there is not enough unbized information being published. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and to be heard. It's up to each person to decide who they're going to beleive, trust, and which comments they will put validity into, but I feel what's dangerous is not to let BOTH sides be heard, and the amount of documented research that is discounted because it is adversary to what the drug companies and affiliates want people to believe.

Oct 13, 2009 2:49 PM

Tami Port :

October 13th Guest:

Thank you for your opinion. I am certainly not trying to interfere with peoples voices being heard. That is why I publish all opinions, even if I do not agree. I am sorry if my comments seemed harsh. As a microbiologist and mother, I feel strongly about this issue. I will not hesitate to get my children vaccinated against H1N1 when the vaccine becomes available. As stated in my article, infectious disease experts explain that this new vaccines is similar to any influenza vaccine in how it is made and what it contains. The only new thing is the virus. Influenza vaccines have an excellent safety record. The evidence for influenza vaccine risk compared to benefit is actually very clear in the research. Small risk, large benefit. Flu vaccines are never a guarantee against illness. Viruses change quickly. The best we can do is be vaccinated against illnesses when vaccines are available, cover sneezes and coughs, wash hands and be informed. For accurate and trustworthy information, keep an eye on the CDC and World Health Organization websites. There is no shortage of opinions out there. I base the health care decisions that impact my family on scientific research and the opinions of experts.

Oct 16, 2009 2:33 PM

Guest :

My three children have already been vaccinated. It is sad that it is really not possible to reason with most people who have their minds set against vaccination. The arguments above are so weak. Yes, protection isn't perfect. Of course, no one can prove a negative (that there are no negative effects of the vaccine). But where is the evidence that there are any problems with a vaccine that is made the same way every single year with no problems? Do you really want to test is new flu vaccine for a couple years until it is no longer useful? In the absence of ANY evidence against the H1N1 vaccine, the reports of children dying, which WILL accelerate in the coming months, are sufficient for any responsible parent to make the right choice for their children.

Oct 22, 2009 9:19 PM

Guest :

For the oct 13 ??? Person. Its not a live vaccine so get your shit straight before you dumb asses post nonsense. God people are stupid these days. You need to look into credable sources not shit you hear off the street. You all can not get your vaccine and end up on a ventilator I don't care. I know I'm making the right decission for my family with actual factual knowledge.

Nov 2, 2009 8:49 AM

Guest :

unfortunately, using vulgarity to get your point across dropped your I.Q. by about 25 points and your credibility is pretty much shot. Your point could have been taken but missed in ignorance of words

Dec 1, 2009 10:59 AM

Guest :

People who complain about mercury and aluminum should stop eating seafood and using certain deoderants and other items, not to mention extracting any dental fillings. To be honest, the first mention of these types of cries turns me off to any comment, since they are usually based in rumor and no facts at all.

Our company is offering both shot and mist today, so I came across this site via research.

On the comment from 10/13, it seems they are just not familiar with how the seasonal flu shots are created each year. As far as testing, there is always the standard testing they go through and how every year the vaccine contents are modified.

Given that I work in a hospital enviornment, we have been encouraged to get the vacine to protect ourselves from the patients that bring it in.

To date I do know of one death of a mother in her 20s with the H1N1 flu, while they were able to save the baby.

The flue in general is not a joke, and I think because we hear about it so much its become comomon place to think nothing of it.

Dec 2, 2009 11:55 AM

Guest :

Not taking a side, just pointing out to Oct.22nd that he may not have his s#@t together as he put it. The nasal spray vac. is a live virus- the shot is a dead virus. Hmm, vulgarity and ignorance all in the same comment. You go boy, tell 'em how it is. ...oh, wait. That's funny.

Feb 4, 2010 3:42 PM

Guest :

I will have to second the comment of the previous guest; the excipients and adjuvants are clearly toxic, yet their use is approved by organizations of waning credibility. For the example, the FDA's recent repeal of the warning against mercury content in seafood for children, pregnant mothers, etc. is an instance of particular infamy. Let us also consider the inability of those damaged by vaccines to sue the vaccine manufacturer directly due to federal protections which more or less allow you to apply to appeal to a branch of the government. And, let us not forget, federal employees utilize the Thrift Savings Plan for retirement, essentially an IRA, and Glaxosmithkline is one of the largest stocks among the "funds" within the TSP. The interconnections from branch, to branch, to company are all in the interest of protecting profit- of course thimerosol's dangers will not be endorsed by a government which has abdicated its concern for the common welfare.
I am interested with how the previous flu vaccinations to date were not recommended for pregnant women and younger children, and yet when in the midst of a recession the empirically less potent H1N1 flu variant hit emerged, the "limit" to thimerosol content for the shot was waived, and pregnant women et al became the priority group! If the client base is expanded, it stands to reason that profits will increase accordingly.
A. Eerikainen

10 Comments