Clearing the Air on H1N1 Vaccines

Editor-in-Chief

Photo Courtesy of DeseretNews.com

Just a Spritz - (above) H1N1 nasal spray vaccines, called Flu Mist, give people an alternative to the traditional influenza shot. Flu Mist contains weakened H1N1 viruses

   With flu season in full swing, students may not decide to get the H1N1, or Swine flu vaccine, because of its unknown safety.

   According to WebMd.com, the only difference between a seasonal influenza vaccine and the Swine flu vaccine is the piece of the virus, which the vaccine uses to prime the immune system. One of the vaccines in the three-in-one seasonal flu vaccine protects against H1N1 flu, which is about 75 percent similar to the Swine flu vaccine -- although it offers no protection against the pandemic flu. The pandemic flu occurs when a new influenza Type A virus emerges, which people have no immunity to.

   “This influx of sickness has been a little scary this school year. I've never had the flu shot or the flu, but I am definitely taking precautions this year and getting the flu shot and H1N1 flu shot,” Emily Barnett, an English Literature major, said.

Types of Vaccinations

   The Arkansas Department of Health said the three-in-one seasonal flu vaccine, made from three dead flu viruses, comes in its usual injectable form and also protects against H1N1 flu. Another type of vaccine, nasal spray, comes from only weakened H1N1 viruses. Since the nasal spray contains cold-adapted live viruses, infection can occur in cooler parts of the nose. Nasal spray side effects include runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, chills, tiredness, sore throat and headache. These side effects are mild and short-lasting compared to getting the Swine flu infection.

   “Don’t let the flu get you before you get your shot!” Sandy Herring, a Political Science major, said.

Vaccine Safety

   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they plan to closely monitor for any signs the vaccine could cause unexpected adverse affects. CDC and its partners plan to use multiple systems to monitor the safety of the H1N1 influenza vaccine.

   Two of the primary systems, which will be used to monitor the safety of these vaccines after they are in widespread use include: the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, which is jointly operated with the Federal Drug Administration, and the Vaccine Safety Datalink Project. VAERS determines if further investigating needs to take place to determine if an adverse reaction could be caused by the vaccine where the VSDP monitors their weekly data for adverse reactions, which possibly arose from the vaccine, and conducts studies of vaccine safety and health outcomes.

Side Effects

   According to the CDC, side effects of the H1N1 vaccine include:

• Soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site

• Fainting (mainly in adolescents)

• Headache and muscle aches

• Fever and nausea

  
   In 1976, according to Flu.gov, a small risk of getting Guillain-Barre Syndrome existed, but that number recently increased from what is normally seen in the population, whether vaccinated or not. In most studies, no association was found between H1N1 vaccinations, but two studies suggested one person per one million vaccinated individuals may be at risk of getting GBS. GBS occurs because of the stimulation of the body’s immune system, which then attacks itself.

 
   Students can attend mass flu clinics to get influenza vaccines at the following locations, which include:

• Ashley County - Hamburg Fair Grounds Oct. 29 from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Bradley County - Warren Calvary Baptist Church Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

• Desha County - McGehee Municipal Building Oct. 30 from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

• Drew County - Monticello First Assembly of God Oct. 30 from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

   
   More mass flu clinic dates and locations can be found by clicking here. Please look for the next installment of this health series on seasonal flu in the next issue.

 

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