Questions about the safety and efficacy the seasonal and H1N1, or swine flu vaccine is a particularly hot topic for parents of school-age kids. Kids spend lots to time in close quarters, and are among those who seem to be particularly susceptible to the H1N1 virus.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and U.S. health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are recommending swine flu vaccinations for kids. But many parents are expressing concern that the swine flu vaccine is too new to know whether or not it’s safe. Others fear that there may be unknown side effects.
With all the confusing and contradictory rhetoric swirling around about, it's natural that parents have swine flu questions. The best way to handle confusion is to arm yourself with the facts. Here are the top 10 concerns parents have about the swine flu vaccine, and the answers that will help you decide for yourself what's right for your family.
1. Is the swine flu vaccine safe? Was the vaccine rushed to the market? Has it been thoroughly tested? What’s the bottom line?
The most important thing to remember about the H1N1 vaccine is that it is just a variety of the seasonal flu vaccine. It has gone through the same testing process as the seasonal flu vaccine, which has a good safety record.
The H1N1 vaccine has been tested for months, and no side effects have turned up in the trial groups, which include children.
2. Why do we need both the seasonal vaccine and the swine flu vaccine? I don’t want my child to get so many shots!
The reason kids will need separate vaccines for seasonal flu and swine flu is that the seasonal flu vaccine was already developed when the H1N1 pandemic started, and there wasn’t time to include this new flu strain in the vaccine.
Kids between 6 months to 9 years of age will also need two shots of the H1N1 vaccines, spaced at least 21 days apart.
3. Why are doctors saying pregnant women and children (and those with underlying medical conditions) should get vaccinated?
While the seasonal flu has traditionally been more dangerous for the elderly, the new H1N1 virus has been affecting more children and young people. One reason for this is that many of the swine flu outbreaks occurred in schools. Another factor may be that older people have acquired some immunity, possibly from previous exposure to flu viruses and vaccinations. Finally, some pregnant women and those with underlying medical conditions may be at greater risk because their immune systems are compromised.
4. Are there additives in the swine flu vaccine? What about mercury?
The H1N1 vaccine used in the U.S. does not contain any adjuvants, or chemicals that are added to a vaccine to help make them work better.
The mercury in vaccines comes from thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative. Only the swine flu vaccine that comes in multi-dose forms contains thimerosal. The nasal spray and the single-dose vaccine do not. If you do not want your child to have the H1N1 vaccine containing thimerosal, ask your doctor about your options.
5. What are some possible adverse reactions to the swine flu vaccine?
The possible side effects of the swine flu vaccine are the same as those of the seasonal flu vaccine. They include a low-grade fever, muscle ache, runny nose, soreness at the site of the injection, headache, and nausea.
Some parents are also worried about Guillain Barre syndrome, a rare neurological condition that was found to be more common in people who received a 1976 swine flu vaccine. But doctors say there is no correlation between the 1976 vaccine and the swine flu vaccine of today. The 1976 vaccine was a totally different strain of swine flu, and the 2009 swine flu vaccine is manufactured in a completely different way than that vaccine was.
6. I’ve heard that giving your child the nasal spray swine flu vaccine may actually give them swine flu. Is this true?
The swine flu form of FluMist can only be given to healthy people between the ages of 2 and 49 who do not have chronic medical problems, such as asthma. Pregnant women and children under 2 years of age must get the injections because the nasal sprays contain a live form of the swine flu virus.
Unlike flu shots, the nasal spray form of the swine flu vaccine does contain live viruses. However, the viruses are weakened and cannot cause the flu, according to the CDC. These live viruses cannot cause infection in the lungs, but they can lead to mild infections within the nose. Some people who have received the nasal spray flu vaccine have reported nasal congestion, chills, cough, and other mild symptoms.
7. Are there kids who should NOT get the vaccine?
As with the seasonal flu vaccine, people with egg allergies may not be able to get the swine flu vaccine because eggs are used in the manufacturing of flu vaccines. If your child has an egg allergy, talk to your doctor about ways she may be able to get the seasonal and swine flu vaccines.
8. I’ve heard that taking vitamin D is a good alternative to getting the vaccine. Is that true?
Supplements such as vitamin D may be useful in boosting the immune system, so you should absolutely talk to your doctor about whether or not you should give your child supplements. But supplements or alternative therapies are not a substitute for the swine flu vaccine.
9. Isn’t it better and more natural to let my child be exposed to swine flu? What about so-called "swine flu parties"?
Here’s the problem with the idea of deliberately exposing your child to the H1N1 virus: No one knows how he may react to the virus. A healthy child could become seriously ill. Do you really want to take the chance that your child will be one of the kids who become critically sick?
The bottom line: The flu -- both the seasonal and swine flu -- can be deadly. And the flu shot can help lower the risk of getting the flu and serious complications.
10. I want the H1N1 vaccine but where is it?
Distribution of the swine flu vaccine, which began in October, 2009, has been slower than expected. Ask your pediatrician if she is planning to offer swine flu shots. If not, check with your school, area hospitals, local health department, and pharmacy.
