Inactivated 2009 H1n1 Influenza Vaccine 508 Compliant

2009 H1N1
INFLUENZAVACCINE
INACTIVATED
W H A T Y O U N E E D T O K N O W
(the “flu shot”)
Many Vaccine Information Statements are available in Spanish and other languages. See http://www.immunize.org/vis.
1
Inactivated vaccine (vaccine that has killed virus in it)
What is 2009 H1N1 inﬂuenza?
is injected into the muscle, like the annual flu shot. This
2009 H1N1 inﬂuenza (also called Swine Flu) is caused
sheet describes the inactivated vaccine.
by a new strain of inﬂuenza virus. It has spread to many
A live, intranasal vaccine (the nasal spray vaccine) is
countries.
also available. It is described in a separate sheet.
Like other flu viruses, 2009 H1N1 spreads from person
Some inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine contains a preserva
to person through coughing, sneezing, and sometimes
tive called thimerosal to keep it free from germs. Some
through touching objects contaminated with the virus.
people have suggested that thimerosal might be related to
Signs of 2009 H1N1 can include:
autism. In 2004 a group of experts at the Institute of Medicine
• Fatigue • Fever
• Sore Throat • Muscle Aches
reviewed many studies looking into this theory, and found no
• Chills
• Coughing • Sneezing
association between thimerosal and autism. Additional
Some people also have diarrhea and vomiting.
studies since then reached the same conclusion.
Most people feel better within a week. But some people
get pneumonia or other serious illnesses. Some people
4 Who should get 2009 H1N1
have to be hospitalized and some die.
inﬂuenza vaccine and when?
WHO
2 How is 2009 H1N1 different
from regular (seasonal) flu?
Groups recommended to receive 2009 H1N1 vaccine
ﬁ rst are:
Seasonal flu viruses change from year to year, but they
• Pregnant women
are closely related to each other.
• People who live with or care for infants younger
People who have had flu infections in the past usually
than 6 months of age
have some immunity to seasonal ﬂu viruses (their bod
• Health care and emergency medical personnel
ies have built up some ability to ﬁght off the viruses).
• Anyone from 6 months through 24 years of age
The 2009 H1N1 flu is a new flu virus. It is very different
• Anyone from 25 through 64 years of age with
from seasonal flu viruses.
certain chronic medical conditions or a weakened
Most people have little or no immunity to 2009 H1N1 flu
immune system
(their bodies are not prepared to ﬁght off the virus).
As more vaccine becomes available, these groups
should also be vaccinated:
3 2009 H1N1 inﬂ uenza vaccine
• Healthy 25 through 64 year olds
Vaccines are available to protect against 2009 H1N1
• Adults 65 years and older
inﬂuenza.
The Federal government is providing this vaccine for
• These vaccines are made just like seasonal ﬂu
receipt on a voluntary basis. However, state law or
vaccines.
employers may require vaccination for certain persons.
• They are expected to be as safe and effective as
WHEN
seasonal flu vaccines.
Get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available.
• They will not prevent “influenza-like” illnesses
caused by other viruses.
Children through 9 years of age should get two doses of
vaccine, about a month apart. Older children and adults
• They will not prevent seasonal flu. You should also
need only one dose.
get seasonal inﬂuenza vaccine, if you want to be
protected against seasonal flu.

5 Some people should not get
7 What if there is a severe
the vaccine or should wait
reaction?
You should not get 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine if you have
What should I look for?
a severe (life-threatening) allergy to eggs, or to any
Any unusual condition, such as a high fever or
other substance in the vaccine. Tell the person
behavior changes. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can
giving you the vaccine if you have any severe allergies.
include difﬁculty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing,
hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness.
Also tell them if you have ever had:
• a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of
What should I do?
seasonal ﬂ u vaccine,
• Call a doctor, or get the person to a doctor right away.
• Guillain Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness
• Tell the doctor what happened, the date and time it
also called GBS).
happened, and when the vaccination was given.
These may not be reasons to avoid the vaccine, but the
• Ask your provider to report the reaction by ﬁ ling a
medical staff can help you decide.
Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
form. Or you can ﬁle this report through the VAERS
If you are moderately or severely ill, you might be
website at http://www.vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling
advised to wait until you recover before getting the
1-800-822-7967.
vaccine. If you have a mild cold or other illness, there
is usually no need to wait.
VAERS does not provide medical advice.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women can get inactivated
2009 H1N1 ﬂ u vaccine.
8 Vaccine injury compensation
Inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine may be given at the
If you or your child has a reaction to the vaccine, your
same time as other vaccines, including seasonal
ability to sue is limited by law.
inﬂ uenza vaccine.
However, a federal program has been created to help
pay for the medical care and other speciﬁ c expenses
6 What are the risks from
2009 H1N1 inﬂ uenza vaccine?
of certain persons who have a serious reaction to this
vaccine. For more information about this program, call
A vaccine, like any medicine, could cause a serious
1-888-275-4772 or visit the program’s website at:
problem, such as a severe allergic reaction. But the risk
http://www.hrsa.gov/countermeasurescomp/default.htm.
of any vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is
extremely small.
9 How can I learn more?
The virus in inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine has been
killed, so you cannot get inﬂuenza from the vaccine.
• Ask your provider. They can give you the vaccine
package insert or suggest other sources of information.
The risks from inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine are
similar to those from seasonal inactivated ﬂ u vaccine:
• Call your local or state health department.
• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and
Mild problems:
Prevention
(CDC):
• soreness, redness, tenderness, or swelling where
- Call
1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or
the shot was given • fainting (mainly adolescents)
- Visit CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu or
• headache, muscle aches • fever • nausea
http://www.cdc.gov/flu
If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after
• Visit the web at http://www.flu.gov
the shot and last 1-2 days.
Severe problems:
• Life-threatening allergic reactions to vaccines are
very rare. If they do occur, it is usually within a few
minutes to a few hours after the shot.
• In 1976, an earlier type of swine flu vaccine was
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
associated with cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome
(GBS). Since then, ﬂu vaccines have not been
Vaccine Information Statement
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clearly linked to GBS.
09 H1N1 Inactivated Inﬂuenza Vaccine 10/2/09