Vaccines for 2009 H1N1 Influenza (November 2009)

FDA has approved four vaccines for immunization against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. Three of them are inactivated virus vaccines for injection, manufactured by CSL Limited, Sanofi Pasteur, Inc, and Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited. The fourth is a live, attenuated virus vaccine administered by nasal spray, manufactured by MedImmune LLC.

As with the seasonal influenza vaccine, the 2009 H1N1 vaccines are being produced in formulations that contain the preservative thimerosal as well as preservative-free formulations.

Here are some things to know about the 2009 H1N1 vaccines:

•First, these are monovalent vaccines without adjuvant, and they are different from the seasonal influenza vaccine. They protect only against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, a new strain that's never before circulated in humans. The seasonal influenza vaccine does not protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus. So it is important that people who should receive the seasonal influenza vaccine this year get it. And that means that some people should have both the seasonal vaccine and the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.

•Based on currently available information, children younger than 10 should receive two doses of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine approximately one month apart. People 10 years of age and older should receive one dose.

Potential side-effects from the 2009 H1N1 vaccine are expected to be similar to those from the seasonal vaccine. For the injectable vaccines, these include soreness at the injection site, mild fever, body aches and fatigue for several days after the injection. For the nasal spray vaccine, side-effects include runny nose or nasal congestion for all ages, sore throats in adults, and fever in children 2 to 6 years old. As with the seasonal vaccine, people who have a severe, life-threatening allergy to eggs should not receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Vaccine
• FDA
• H1N1
• Influenza
• Immunization
• Swine Flu
• Nasal Spray
• Patient Safety