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Swine Flu H1N1 Vaccine

                                                                   Swine Flu H1N1 Vaccine

                                                     The H1N1 or “swine flu” virus, which first appeared in April 2009, has gone on to become a worldwide "pandemic." This flu season, scientists expect both H1N1 flu and seasonal flu to cause more people to get sick than a regular flu season. More hospital stays and deaths may result, which makes vaccines that prevent influenza critical for optimal health of populations.Seasonal flu viruses change from year to year, but they are closely related to each other. People who have had flu infections in the past usually have some immunity to seasonal flu viruses (their bodies have built up some ability to fight off the viruses).

This season, 2009 H1N1 vaccines are being made to protect against the H1N1 influenza virus. The U.S. government has purchased 250 million doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, so anyone who wants to get the vaccine will have the opportunity to do so. Vaccine will be made available as quickly as possible as it rolls off the production lines. Limited quantities of the vaccine began shipping in early October and availability will continue to increase through the end of the year and into 2010.
There are two forms of 2009 H1N1 vaccines being produced: a 2009 H1N1 "flu shot" and the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray flu vaccine. The same manufacturers who produce seasonal flu vaccines are producing 2009 H1N1 vaccines for use in the United States, and the vaccines are being made in the same way that the seasonal vaccines are made.The H1N1 flu shot is an inactivated vaccine (containing “killed” virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The indications for who can get the 2009 H1N1 flu shot are the same as for seasonal flu shots. The flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women.The H1N1 nasal spray, given via a nasal sprayer, is a vaccine made with live, weakened viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for "live attenuated influenza vaccine"). The indications for who can get the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine are the same as for seasonal nasal spray vaccine. LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel made up of medical and public-health experts, recommends that programs and providers administer vaccine to people in the following five target groups (order of target groups does not indicate priority):
pregnant women;
.people who live with or provide care for infants younger than 6 months of age
.people 6 months through 24 years of age; and
.people 25-64 years of age who have certain medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.

There are some people who should not get any flu vaccine without first consulting a physician. These include
.people who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs,
.people who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination,
.people who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously,
.children younger than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for this age group),
.people who have a moderate to severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated) , and
.people taking certain medications that suppress the immune system should not receive the “live” form of nasal spray vaccine.

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