H1N1 Nasal Vaccine: What You May Not Know

The inhalable vaccine that thousands of children across the country are being vaccinated with is a new, and some might argue, experimental form of vaccinations. The pharmaceutical company Medimmune received permission in 2002 to make an inhalable vaccine, which was made available in Wal-Mart stores as a convenient way to administer a flu vaccine to shoppers' children. There are obvious advantages to a nasal inhalant: the dose is pre-measured and does not require refrigeration, needles, nor alcohol swabbing. Children don't suffer the physical and emotional pain of getting a shot.

But there are disadvantages to the nasal vaccine:

• The nasal vaccine contains a living virus. The nasal H1N1 vaccine is made with a modified live virus, not a dead virus as in regular seasonal flu shots.
  
• The nasal vaccine is contagious. Those who have received a nasal H1N1 vaccine can pass on the living virus to others for as long as 21 days after the vaccination.

The FluMist vaccine contains a live swine flu virus that is modified in such a way that it only affects the nose and throat. There are two reasons for this: first, the swine flu virus only becomes deadly when it works its way into the lungs; second, the nose and throat are cooler than the lungs and the FluMist virus dies under high temperatures. When the flu mist is administered in to the nose, it stays in the nasal sinus area where the body begins to produce anti-bodies to it.

As good as that may seem, the great concern we all should have is the fact that a living virus is being spray up our children's noses. Think about that for a minute. A dead virus is relatively innocuous, but a live virus is a live virus. And it remains living (contagious) for up to 21 days. The potential side effects published for the H1N1 nasal vaccine are runny nose, cough, and sore throat, similar to the common cold. Cold symptoms may seem like a small price to pay in lieu of getting a full-blown, potentially fatal form of the swine flu. And some parents may feel this way. In the end, it is up to every parent to determine this for themselves, but preferably on the basis of sound information, not fear or panic.

The fundamental fact to weigh in on is the infectious nature of the spray mist vaccine. Many parents are likely to have their kids innoculated with the vaccine spray and then send them out with a sense of security to their schools and playgrounds, where the virus they have just inhaled can be spread. While it's true and can be argued that the spray mist flu virus is only the mild variety -- not the fatal form that requires hospitalization -- it's too soon to say if indeed the alteration of this living virus really does stay in the nose and throat, and never makes its way to the lungs. The swine flu mist does have its risks, some of which remain untested and unknown.

Every parent, and anyone considering getting a flu vaccination, will do well to consider these risks. Many of the medical professionals I have spoken with, including one at the Mayo Clinic, say that with proper information and proper precautions, the nasal flu spray can be a good idea. Here are the fundamental points they say to keep in mind:

If the swine flu vaccine is available in your community or from your physician, find out which type of vaccine they are administering. There are 3 types of swine flu vaccine: 1) the vaccine spray mist, 2) single-dose injectable vaccine, and 3) multiple-dose injectable vaccine. Of the 3, the most safe is the single-dose flu shot. Because it's a single dose, it does not contain the preservative Thiosermal, which contains mercury. The multiple-dose shot, on the other hand, does have mercury, and though it's not a large amount and is probably not harmful to most people, it can be harmful to some.

The truth of the matter is, you will most likely not have a choice of the 3 types of vaccine. Most clinics and doctors get what they get and are thankful to have their allotted quantity, given the very short supply. But even though you don't have a choice, if you know ahead of time which form of the vaccine is available in your area, there are precautions you can take to minimize adverse effects of any of the vaccines. Call the agency that is administering the vaccine where you live and ask which type they are giving.

• If they are giving the single dose injection, count yourself as lucky. If you get this form of the vaccine, there is not a lot you have to do to minimise side effects aside from keeping your physical activity, stress and exposure to extreme cold low for a few days.
  
• If they are giving the the multiple dose injection, weigh the fact that a small quantity of mercury is contained in the vaccine. This virus is a dead virus, which means it is not contagious. You might have some mild side effects. To prevent these, minimize your physical activity, stress and exposure to cold for at least several days. Support your immune system with additional Vitamin C and antioxidants.
  
• If the inhalable spray mist vaccine is available, reread this article. If you or your children do get the flu mist, keep in mind that you will be contagious for as many as 21 days. Keep away from public areas as much as you can, wash your hands regularly and always after blowing your nose or touching your eyes, always blow your nose into a kleenex, and always cough into a kleenex or into your shirt sleeve. If you begin to feel cold-like symptoms, treat it like an illness and not merely a few side effects. Drink lots of fluids, take zinc and Vitamin C throughout the day, rest as much as you can, and don't consume congesting foods (dairy especially) until you feel better.
  
• Finally, speak with other parents and anyone you know who has or knows someone who has had any form of the swine flu vaccine. Ask them about the side effects and any indication of contagion. The H1N1 flu mist vaccine is still in a proving phase, and it was rushed to market. Don't be gullible to the fact that the wide-spread use of the flu mist vaccination is a tremendous financial and scientific testing opportunity for the vaccine's maker, Medimmune. It's up to you to decide if you want to participate in the test.
  

The injectable H1N1 vaccine, which has yet to reach many cities, is a much safer form of vaccination, or more correctly stated, the lesser of two evils. While the injectable vaccine is made with a dead virus, it also contains the preservative Thiomersal, which contains high levels of mercury. Here's more information about the H1N1 injectable vaccine.