Different countries are dealing with the swine flu in their own way. They have varying target dates and may be using different vaccines. Here is information about the immunization process to fight against the spread of the swine flu that is happening in the United States.
CDC Recommends Getting the H1N1 Flu Vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is saying that the best way to protect against the flu is to get a flu vaccination. This year, the US is offering its annual seasonal flu shot as well as a 2009 H1N1 vaccine to fight against the swine flu. There are two different ways to get vaccinated against H1N1 flu in the US.
The Swine Influenza Shot
Across the US, people are able to get the H1N1 flu shot, which contains the H1N1 virus after it has been killed. The injections available are called the Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent vaccines. A needle is used to give this shot and it is usually done in the arm.
Who Can Get the H1N1 Flu Shot?
The same groups who are recommended to get a seasonal flu shot are the same groups who are recommended to get a swine flu shot. The following people are approved for getting the flu shot:
- People six months old and older
- Healthy people
- People with chronic medical conditions
- Pregnant women
The drug companies that manufacture the seasonal flu shots are producing the H1N1 flu shots in the US. The vaccine manufacturers include CSL Limited, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited and Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. The H1N1 influenza shot is also being produced in a similar fashion to how the seasonal flu is created.
H1N1 Flu Nasal Spray Vaccination
This vaccine is different from the shot because it is made with live, but weakened, viruses that don’t give people the flu. It is also known as LAIV, which stands for Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine. Not everyone is recommended to take this nasal vaccine. It is generally recommended for healthy people two years of age to 49 years of age. This vaccine is not approved for women who are pregnant.
MedImmune is making the H1N1 nasal spray for the US and it also produces FluMist, which is the seasonal flu nasal spray vaccine. The spray causes antibodies to develop in the body that protect against the H1N1 influenza. It takes about two weeks for this to happen.
Seasonal Flu Vaccine and H1N1 Flu Vaccine are Different
It should be noted that these above swine flu vaccines were not created to protect against the seasonal flu. Likewise, the seasonal flu shot was not developed to deal with the new H1N1 virus. The CDC is recommending that people also get the seasonal influenza vaccine as soon as possible. It's believed that it is safe to have both shots on the same day for healthy people. As for any injections, it is important to speak with one's doctor about what works best for that individual.
When Is the Best Time to Get Vaccinated?
The CDC says that as soon as the vaccine is available to a community, people should get it (that means this fall right through the flu season, which could run into December and January). It is also possible that the second wave of the swine flu could last even longer. Each year, flu outbreaks can start at different times and last for different durations depending on flu activity. Flu seasons have been known to stretch into April or May.
There could also be multiple waves of the H1N1 flu that can hit communities more than once over this seasonal influenza season. It’s also believed that H1N1 viruses will be the most common cause of the flu for 2009-2010.
For more information check out Swine Flu Facts, Who Should Get the Swine Flu Vaccine? and Learn About the Swine Flu Vaccine.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Key Facts About 2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccine, Oct. 8, 2009.
US Food and Drug Administration, FDA Update on the H1N1 Flu Vaccine and Antiviral Medications, Fall 2009.
Tami Nicholson - Tami is the Topic Editor for Parenting Methods at Suite101. She is a mother of two with a background in education and journalism.
Join the Conversation