Vaccine-Related Questions
1) Is the nasal spray of the H1N1 vaccine appropriate for my child?
A. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the nasal spray form of the H1N1 vaccine should not be given to individuals with chronic medical conditions, including asthma, reactive airway disease, and those with impaired immune systems. It may be more appropriate if children with mentioned diseases receive the inactivated vaccine injection (shot). Please consult with your primary care provider to determine the most appropriate H1N1 vaccine form for your child.
2) Can children 5 and 8 receive the nasal mist?
A. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children may receive the nasal spray form if they do not have any contraindications or conditions precluding them from obtaining that form. Vaccine Information Sheets (VIS) for both the nasal spray and the injectable form may be found on the CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/) under "Info for Healthcare Providers."
The information in the VIS should enable you to determine which vaccine form is more appropriate for your children. You may also wish to consult with your child's primary care provider.
3) I have an allergy to eggs. Can I take either form of the H1N1 vaccine?
A. No. Both forms of the H1N1 vaccine are developed using chicken eggs. You should not take either form of the H1N1 vaccine.
4) If a child got the regular flu shot on October 1, 2009, when is it safe to receive the H1N1 vaccine?
A. Based on CDC guidance, it is safe to administer the H1N1 vaccine, in either form (nasal spray or injection) to individuals who receive the injectable version of the seasonal flu shot at any time after the original injection. The nasal spray form of both vaccines – seasonal flu and H1N1 – should not be given at the same time. Vaccine Information Sheets (VIS) for both forms may be found at the CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/) under "Info for Healthcare Providers."
5) Should a child with any kind of medical condition receive the H1N1 vaccine?
A Most children with medical conditions should receive the injectable H1N1 vaccine. If you still have concerns, please consult your children's primary care provider to determine the appropriateness of vaccinations.
6) I received a school consent form to get the H1N1 vaccine. They give two options: Injection and/or Nasal Vaccine. Which vaccine is better for my 7 year old son to get or are they both equally effective?
A. Included in the information distributed by schools should be two (2) Vaccine Information Sheets (VIS) that detail the pros and cons of both forms – nasal spray and injection (shot). Please review these documents before making your decision. This information may also found at the CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/) under "Info for Healthcare Providers." In addition, you may want to contact your child's healthcare provider. YAMMRS is unable to provide you with specific medical guidance on this issue.
7) I am concerned about preservatives, such as Thimerasol, in the H1N1 vaccination. I know in the past for the regular flu shot it could be ordered with fewer preservatives. Is this a possibility for the H1N1 vaccination?
A. According to vaccine manufacturers, multi-dose vials of the H1N1 vaccine do contain a small amount of thimerasol. Nasal spray H1N1 vaccine is thimerasol-free. Pre-manufactured single dose syringes of H1N1 vaccine are also thimerasol-free, except for the Novartis brand which does include a very small trace of mercury. YAMMRS anticipates that multi-dose, single syringe and nasal spray will be available for school and community-based vaccination efforts. However YAMMRS has no control over which manufacturers' brand of vaccine will be supplied from the CDC. Please note on your child's consent form that you would like him/her to receive a thimerasol-free version.
8) I'm wondering if you could tell me if the nasal spray is as effective as the shot. And also if by getting the spray or the shot makes you get sick?
A. YAMMRS is unable to provide specific guidance about the effectiveness of the H1N1 vaccine or its potential side effects. Please visit the CDC website (www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu) or the Pennsylvania Department of Health website (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu) for additional information. You may also want to contact your primary care provider for further guidance.
9) My child was infected with H1N1 beginning of this year. Now his school is offering the H1N1 vaccine. Should he still be given the vaccine although he has already had H1N1 virus?
A. Unless their prior bout with the "flu" was confirmed by testing to be H1N1, he/she may not have acquired the natural immunity against the H1N1 virus and, therefore, vaccination may be appropriate.
10) Can a woman who is breastfeeding receive the vaccine?
A. Yes. Both seasonal and H1N1 influenza vaccines should be given to breastfeeding mothers. Breastfeeding is fully compatible with flu vaccination, and preventing maternal infection provides secondary protection to the infant. Maternal vaccination is especially important for infants less than 6 months old, who are ineligible for vaccination. In addition, transfer of vaccination-related antibodies by breastfeeding further reduces the infant's chance of getting sick with the flu. You may also want to contact your OB/GYN or child's pediatrician for further direction.
11) We have a child with a weakened immune system. While she will be getting the injection, there will be other children getting the nasal form. Can she be exposed to the live virus by being in class with those children?
A. According to the CDC and the Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS), the H1N1 nasal spray should not be given to “anyone in close contact with a person with a severely weakened immune system (requiring care in a protected environment).” (The VIS may also be found on the CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/) under “Info for Healthcare Providers.” It is generally thought that the potential for viral shedding does not pose a risk to normal individuals, pregnant women, or individuals with chronic conditions, other than severe immunodeficiency such as bone-marrow transplant recipients
12) I am 7½ months pregnant. As a school teacher, I will be in close contact with students who may receive the H1N1 nasal spray. Is it safe for pregnant women, especially those in their third trimester, to be near students who receive the nasal spray?
A. The CDC and other health experts have advised that “pregnant women do not need to avoid contact with persons recently vaccinated with LAIV (nasal spray).” This information is available on the CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/PROFESSIONALS/acip/specificpopulations.htm) under the “Pregnant Women” heading.
13) I have a question about the nasal mist form of the H1N1 vaccine. Since you are receiving a partially live virus in you nose, will that make you contagious to other people?
A. It is generally thought that the potential for viral shedding does not pose a risk to normal individuals, pregnant women, or individuals with chronic conditions, other than severe immunodeficiency such as bone-marrow transplant recipients. The CDC specifically advises that nasal spray “should not be given to anyone in close contact with a person with a severely weakened immune system (requiring care in a protected environment).” If you still have concerns, YAMMRS also suggests that you contact your health care provider who may be able to offer you additional guidance.