Frequently Asked Questions About Swine Flu Vaccines and Vaccinations
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The World Health Organization has declared the H1N1 swine flu, also being called Novel H1N1 swine flu, to be pandemic.
A vaccine is now available to the public to inoculate us against H1N1 swine flu. It has been tested for effectiveness and safety and is being distributed throughout the United States to medical practices and state and local health departments. (Please note, if you find any claim that you can purchase swine flu vaccine, online or anywhere else, know that this claim is bogus.)
How Is the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Developed?
The H1N1 swine flu vaccine was developed like any flu vaccine is developed. According to the FDA (pdf), "seed" virus, in this case the H1N1 swine flu virus, is injected into fertilized eggs where it grows into the agent needed to vaccinate human beings. Once the material has grown in the eggs, it gets distributed to manufacturers who use it to develop individual doses of either an injectable or a nasal vaccine. From there it is distributed to the organizations who make it available to the public – medical practices, government health organizations and others.
Why Is There a Shortage of H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine?
In the United States, the federal government approved the swine flu vaccine for production in April 2009. Based on the growth patterns in previous years of seasonal flu seed vaccine, then vaccination doses, it estimated that 120 million doses of swine flu vaccine would be ready for the public by mid-October. What was not anticipated was the slower growth of the virus during the egg stages of development, meaning, the remaining aspects of production were delayed. As of late October 2009, only about 10% of the expected doses were ready for injection.
Additional delays are chalked up to capacity. The manufacturers that produce vaccines were already running full throttle developing seasonal flu vaccines. Decisions had to be made about whether to repurpose their manufacturing lines to swine flu vaccine production, replace those lines all together, or exactly how to handle this additional load of manufacturing.
A further drain on the supply occurred when officials decided that many children would need two doses instead of just one to protect them completely. That means that twice as many doses will be needed for many children, increasing the demand by possibly 30%.
The revised estimate for H1N1 swine flu vaccine dose delivery is 150 million doses by the end of 2009. It remains to be seen whether that will happen, or what further problems may crop up.
Who Should Get the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine?
The World Health Organization (WHO) met in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss the reach of pandemic Novel H1N1 swine flu across the globe, and to discuss progress in the development of the vaccine and the approach countries should take to assure vaccination of its citizens.
American public health officials reviewed the WHO recommendations, then developed their priority list of who should receive H1N1 vaccinations.
According to the CDC, citizens should be vaccinated in this order:
- pregnant women
- caregivers and adults who live with or care for children younger than six months of age(parents, daycare providers, teachers and others)
- healthcare workers and emergency personnel
- children and young adults, ages 6 months to 24 years
- people age 25 to 64 who suffer from chronic health problems or have compromised immune systems
- adults age 65 and older
Note: children under age six months are too young to get the vaccine.
Information about vaccination or precautions for specific groups of people such as pregnant women, schools and daycare centers, businesses, people who suffer from specific medical conditions, even people who work with pigs, can be found at the CDC’s website.
How Many Doses of the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Do I Need to Get?
Make sure you understand that in late 2009, there are two vaccines officials believe we will need to develop the most protection from flu. One vaccine is intended to prevent catching the H1N1 swine flu and a second vaccine is needed to protect against the seasonal flu, the flu that comes around once a year.
As of October 2009, the CDC is recommending:
- Children age nine and under may need two doses of the swine flu vaccine, at least 21 days apart. The second dose is a booster for the first.
- Children and adults 10 years of age and older may need one dose of the swine flu vaccine.
- The seasonal flu vaccine has its own requirements, separate from the swine flu vaccine.
- Check with your own doctor or your child’s pediatrician and follow his or her guidance to be sure you are as protected as possible.
Can I Get Both the Seasonal and the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine at the Same Time?
Whether or not you can get doses of both vaccines at the same time depends on the type of administration (shots vs. mist, or killed vs live) that you will be receiving. Your safest bet is to ask your doctor what he or she recommends.
If I was vaccinated in 1976 against swine flu, do I need to get the 2009 vaccine?
According to the CDC, it is unlikely the vaccine given in 1976 will protect you from this more current strain of influenza.
I’m having trouble finding flu vaccine supplies. How can I find a place to get my flu shots?
There are several websites that offer locators for flu clinics:
- The first place to check is your doctor’s office. Even if they have no supply of vaccine, they may know where you can go.
- The American Lung Association has a Flu Clinic Locator.
- Your state’s health department may provide flu clinic information.
- Or check your local newspaper or TV station websites which may list clinics near you.
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If I Decide Not to Get the H1N1 Vaccine, or If I Am Unable to Get It, What Can I Do to Protect Myself?
The best defense against any flu or any infection, whether or not you have been vaccinated, is to practice good hygiene such as frequent handwashing. If you do get sick, stay home from school or work to prevent spreading it to others.
Sometimes the defense is a good offense, too. The World Health Organization estimates one third of us will get H1N1 swine flu regardless of what we do to prevent it. A smart patient prepares ahead of time by developing a swine flu plan for when a family member gets swine flu.