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.
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.
The copyright of the article Safety of H1N1 Influenza Mist & Injected Vaccine in Immunology is owned by Tami Port. Permission to republish Safety of H1N1 Influenza Mist & Injected Vaccine in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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
Oct 8, 2009
