H1N1 Flu Vaccine Information
- The nasal spray is a live attenuated virus vaccine and is also known as H1N1 FluMist (not to be confused with seasonal influenza vaccine FluMist).
- The intramuscular shot (IM) H1N1 vaccine is a killed virus vaccine.
- The seasonal influenza vaccine also comes in both forms, with nasal spray seasonal vaccine also referred to as FluMist.
- Anyone who is not allergic to eggs can receive the IM form of either the H1N1 or seasonal flu vaccine.
- The nasal spray form, since it is a live virus vaccine, is reserved for healthy individuals between the ages of 2 years through 49 years.
- The nasal spray (FluMist) forms should not be given to:
- pregnant woman
- children less than 5 years of age with a history of at least one wheezing episode in the previous 12 months
- any child with asthma/children with developmental or neurological disorders
- children with chronic heart or other lung problems
- adults with COPD, or other chronic medical conditions of the heart, liver & kidneys
- children and adults who are immunosuppressed (e.g., HIV, receiving chronic steroids, on chemotherapy)
- If a person is to get both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines in the nasal form, the vaccines must be given separately at least 4 weeks apart.
- Because the FluMist versions are a live virus that are squirted into the nose any rapid testing for influenza (which involves a swab up the nose) may be falsely positive due to the vaccine strain being present.
- The IM form of H1N1 is to be available later in October.
- Adverse reactions to H1N1 vaccination are not expected to be any different than those associated with the seasonal flu vaccine. Over the years, the seasonal flu vaccine has been remarkably safe.
