H1N1 "swine flu" vaccine advisory

What is the H1N1 swine flu vaccine?

Modified version of the seasonal flu vaccine

Protects against new H1N1 swine flu influenza virus

Does not protect against other types of seasonal flu

Healthcare professionals recommend that certain people get both

Who should get the H1N1 swine flu vaccine?

Pregnant women

Healthcare professionals

Those living with or caring of children under 6 months old

Those aged 6-24 years

Those aged 24-64 years with chronic health condition

Who should not get the H1N1 swine flu vaccine?

Infants below 6 months of age

Those allergic to eggs

What are the two types of H1N1 swine flu vaccine?

Live nasal spray: injection of weakened virus – that can only survive in your nose – to trigger your immune system (LAIV)

Injection of dead virus to coax your immune system to develop protection (IIV)

How protective is flu vaccine?

Check the attached picture

What about adjuvant in the vaccine?

Adjuvant is an additive that primes the immune system. That means less vaccine goes further (you only need one shot)

What if I'm pregnant?

Pregnant mothers are at more risk for H1N1 and are more likely to be hospitalized

Less than 20 weeks: inactive vaccine without adjuvant

More than 20 weeks: inactive vaccine

What about the mercury in the vaccine?

Some H1N1 shots contain a microscopic amount of the preservative thimerosal. It contains mercury. How much mercury exactly? Check the attached picture

What are the side effects of the flu jab?

When real vaccine and fake vaccine (placebo) were given to patients who did not know which they are getting, one clear side effect emerged. This side effect was "sore arm". Look at the attached picture for more details

Who gets swine flu?

By age group according to www.census.gov:

0-4 years: 23%

5-24 years: 27%

25-49 years: 7%

50-64 years: 4%

more than 65%: 1%

What are the chances?

Look at the corresponding picture

Source: Centers for Disease Control www.cdc.gov