Vaccination
- Vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu. Find H1N1 (Swine) flu and seasonal flu vaccines where you live. More...
- You need two vaccines to be fully protected this year. The seasonal flu vaccine is different from the H1N1 flu vaccine. The CDC is encouraging people to get both vaccinations. More…
- Nationwide distribution of the H1N1 flu vaccine is underway to all states. Vaccine production is now at or near full capacity. Get the latest information on vaccine allocation and shipment.
- The CDC recommends that certain priority groups be the first to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine. The CDC has ordered enough vaccine to protect everyone who wishes to be vaccinated. However, initially, the H1N1 flu vaccine will be available in limited quantities. More…
- The 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine is expected to have a similar safety profile as seasonal flu vaccines, which have a very good safety track record. Over the years, hundreds of millions of Americans have received seasonal flu vaccines. More…
- None of the currently available H1N1 flu vaccines contain adjuvants. Single-dose injectable vaccines do not contain preservatives (thimerosal). Multi-dose bottles do contain preservatives. More…
- The H1N1 vaccine is provided at no cost by the government. Some, but not all, clinics may charge to administer the vaccine. More…
- In August, 2009 the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) began a series of clinical trials to evaluate new vaccines for H1N1 flu. More…
- People who are at high-risk for flu (children, seniors and people with certain health conditions) should also receive a pneumococcal vaccination More…
- Glossary of vaccine-related words More…
The Seasonal Flu Vaccine
The seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 flu vaccine are separate vaccinations. A seasonal vaccine is distributed routinely every year, the H1N1 flu vaccine has been developed and produced for the 2009 flu season.
- The seasonal vaccine is not expected to protect against the H1N1 flu and the H1N1 flu vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. Each protects against a different virus and is intended to be used along-side the other.
- It is anticipated that seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccines may be administered on the same day.
- Individuals are encouraged to get both vaccines as soon as possible.
| Seasonal Nasal (LAIV) | Seasonal Flu Shot |
H1N1 Nasal (LAIV)
| Minimum two weeks between vaccinations | May be given in same visit. |
H1N1 Flu Shot
| May be given in same visit. | May be given in same visit. |
The H1N1 Flu Vaccine
- Vaccine makers are shipping:
- Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) nasal spray for H1N1 flu, and
- 15 microgram pre-filled syringes licensed for use in children age 4 and older, and
- Multi-dose vials for persons 6 months of age and older
- Vaccine production is now at or near full capacity. See table of state-by-state shipments and totals of doses allocated, ordered and shipped .
- Materials for distribution:
“What You Need to Know” PDF (2009 H1N1 “Flu Shot” Vaccine Information Sheet)
“What You Need to Know” PDF (2009 H1N1 LAIV “Nasal Spray Vaccine” Vaccine Information Sheet)
- H1N1 flu vaccine development and dosage:
- Working together with scientists in the public and private sector, CDC isolated and modified the new H1N1 flu virus so that it can be used to make hundreds of millions of doses of vaccine. Vaccine manufacturers are now producing and shipping the vaccine.
- On September 15, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved four manufacturers to produce vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 flu virus. On November 16, 2009, a fifth manufacturer's vaccine was approved for the H1N1 flu virus.
- On September 21, 2009, the National Institutes of Health announced that the H1N1 flu vaccine will require just one 15-microgram dose for children 10 to 17 years of age. Children nine years old and younger will need two doses. More information on H1N1 flu vaccine trial testing.
- For decades, vaccines have been produced in chicken eggs. This process is time-consuming and for some flu seasons has resulted in flu vaccine shortages early in the flu season. Cell-based vaccine production takes less time, and has the added benefit of allowing persons who are allergic to eggs to receive the vaccine. Cell-based vaccine is not expected to become available until 2011. More information about cell-based vaccine productions.
- On October 26, 2009, CDC released a chart outlining the recommended dosages based on manufacturer and age. More information on H1N1 dosage.
- Working together with scientists in the public and private sector, CDC isolated and modified the new H1N1 flu virus so that it can be used to make hundreds of millions of doses of vaccine. Vaccine manufacturers are now producing and shipping the vaccine.
- Questions & Answers: 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Questions cover vaccine recommendations, supply and distribution, seasonal and H1N1 vaccine, prior illness, prevention, and the Canadian study.
H1N1 Vaccine Clinical Trials
| In August, 2009 the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) began a series of clinical trials to evaluate new vaccines to prevent and decrease the severity of H1N1 influenza virus infection. Several trials are determining how many doses of H1N1 vaccine are needed to induce a potentially protective immune response in a variety of populations, including healthy adults, the elderly, children, pregnant woman, people with asthma, and people with HIV. Other trials seek to determine whether seasonal flu vaccine can be given concurrent with—either before, after or during—the H1N1 vaccine. |
|
Initial Results Show Pregnant Women Mount Strong Immune Response To One Dose of 2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccine, November 2, 2009
Updated Results: In Youngest Children, a Second Dose of 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Elicits Robust Immune Response, November 2, 2009
Early Results: In Children, 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Works Like Seasonal Flu Vaccine, September 21, 2009
Pneumococcal Vaccination
Many people who have experienced serious and sometimes fatal complications from H1N1 flu have also been infected with streptococcus pneumoniae (a major cause of pneumonia).
Pneumococcal vaccination and Children | Pneumococcal vaccination and Adults |
|
|
Questions & Answers: 2009 H1N1 and Pneumococcal Disease in the News
Questions & Answers: Prevention of Pneumococcal Infections Secondary to Seasonal and H1N1 Flu
