There are two kinds of 2009 H1N1 vaccines being produced:  the “flu shot” and the nasal spray vaccine.  We have received shipment of the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine.  We expect to receive shipment of the H1N1 flu shot very soon, so stay tuned for updates.  Read below for more information.

1. •A 2009 H1N1 "flu shot": an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The indications for who can get the 2009 H1N1 flu shot are the same as for seasonal flu shots. The flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. The 2009 H1N1 flu shot is being made in the same way that the seasonal flu shot is made.
   

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3. •The 2009 H1N1 nasal spray flu vaccine:  a vaccine made with live, weakened viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for "live attenuated influenza vaccine"). The indications for who can get the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine are the same as for seasonal nasal spray vaccine. LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant. The 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine is being made in the same way as the seasonal nasal spray vaccine.
   

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More Information Regarding the H1N1 nasal spray flu vaccine:

1. ✦Who can be vaccinated with the 2009 H1N1 nasal-spray flu vaccine (LAIV)?
   

2.           The 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine is recommended for use in healthy people 2 years through 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
   

1. ✦Who should not be vaccinated with the 2009 H1N1 nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV?
   

          Certain people should not get a nasal spray flu vaccine, including the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine. This includes:

1. ✴People younger than 2 years of age;
   

2. ✴Pregnant women;
   

3. ✴People 50 years of age and older;
   

4. ✴People with a medical condition that places them at higher risk for complications from influenza, including those with chronic heart or lung disease, such as asthma or reactive airways disease; people with medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure; or people with illnesses that weaken the immune system, or who take medications that can weaken the immune system;
   

5. ✴Children younger than 5 years old with a history of recurrent wheezing;
   

6. ✴Children or adolescents receiving aspirin therapy;
   

7. ✴People who have had Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare disorder of the nervous system, within 6 weeks of getting a flu vaccine,
   

8. ✴People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs or who are allergic to any of the nasal spray vaccine components.
   

1. ✦How many doses of nasal spray vaccine are needed?
   

           In adults, only one dose of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, including the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine, is needed for protection.

          All children 2 through 9 years of age getting a 2009 H1N1 vaccine will need two doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine (either the 2009 H1N1 flu shot or the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine), The first dose should being given as soon as vaccine becomes available. The second dose should be given 28 or more days after the first dose. The first dose "primes" the immune system; the second dose provides immune protection. Children who only get one dose of vaccine when they need two doses may have reduced or no protection. Be sure to follow up to get your child a second dose if they need one. It usually takes about two weeks after the second dose for protection to begin.

1. ✦Can the nasal spray flu vaccine give you the flu?
   

          Unlike the flu shot, the nasal spray flu vaccine does contain live viruses. However, the viruses are attenuated (weakened) and cannot cause flu illness. The weakened viruses are cold-adapted, which means they are designed to only cause infection at the cooler temperatures found within the nose. The viruses cannot infect the lungs or other areas where warmer temperatures exist. Some children and young adults 2 years to 17 years of age have reported experiencing mild reactions after receiving seasonal nasal spray flu vaccine, including runny nose, nasal congestion or cough, chills, tiredness/weakness, sore throat and headache. Some adults 18 years to 49 years of age have reported runny nose or nasal congestion, cough, chills, tiredness/weakness, sore throat and headache. These side effects are mild and short-lasting, especially when compared to symptoms of influenza infection.

1. ✦Can pregnant women be in contact with someone who has gotten the nasal spray vaccine (LAIV)?
   

          Yes. A pregnant woman can be in close contact with someone who has gotten the nasal spray flu vaccine (LAIV). A pregnant woman can also administer (give) a nasal spray vaccine (LAIV). Because the viruses in the nasal spray vaccine are attenuated or weakened, vaccine viruses are unlikely to cause any illness symptoms, even if an unvaccinated person inadvertently gets vaccine viruses in their nose. The nasal spray vaccine against seasonal influenza viruses has been used in millions of school children and healthy adults since it was licensed, and there have been no reports of pregnant women becoming ill after exposure to their vaccinated children or other family members.

          While it's OK for her contacts to get the nasal spray vaccine, this vaccine should not be given to pregnant women. While LAIV is not known to be a safety risk for pregnant women, there have not been studies of LAIV among pregnant women to assess safety and effectiveness for use in this group. LAIV can be given to women after they have delivered, even if they are nursing.

          CDC recommends that pregnant woman get both the 2009 H1N1 flu shot and the seasonal flu shot. Flu shots are made with a killed virus, and have not been shown to cause harm to pregnant women or their babies.

1. ✦Can the nasal-spray flu vaccine be given to patients when they are ill?
   

          The nasal-spray flu vaccine can be given to people with minor illnesses (e.g., diarrhea or mild upper respiratory tract infection with or without fever). However, if nasal congestion is present that might limit delivery of the vaccine to the nasal lining, then delaying of vaccination until the nasal congestion is reduced should be considered.

1. ✦Can people receiving the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV pass the vaccine viruses to others?
   

         In clinical studies, transmission of vaccine viruses to close contacts occurred only rarely. The current estimated risk of getting infected with vaccine virus after close contact with a person vaccinated with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is low (0.6%-2.4%). Because the viruses are weakened, infection is unlikely to result in influenza illness symptoms since the vaccine viruses have not been shown change into typical or naturally occurring influenza viruses.

For more comprehensive and up-to-date information regarding H1N1 influenza, please check out the H1N1 page on the CDC website.