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Dartmouth College Health Service
5-7 Rope Ferry Road, HB 6143
Hanover, NH 03755
Phone: 603/646-9400
Fax: 603/646-9450
E-mail: Dick's House
Vaccines are available to protect against H1N1 influenza.
There are two types of H1N1 Influenza Vaccine. You will find specific information for each using the links below:
Inactivated vaccine (vaccine that has killed virus in it) is injected into the muscle, like the annual flu shot.
Some inactivated H1N1 vaccine contains a preservative called thimerosal to keep it free from germs. Some people have suggested that thimerosal might be related to autism. In 2004 a group of experts at the Institute of Medicine reviewed many studies looking into this theory, and found no association between thimerosal and autism. Additional studies since then reached the same conclusion.
Live, Attenuated Intranasal Vaccine or LAIV is sprayed into the nose.
The H1N1 LAIV does not contain thimerosal or other preservatives. It is licensed for people from 2 through 49 years of age.
The vaccine virus is attenuated (weakened) so it will not cause illness.
As more vaccine becomes available, these groups should also be vaccinated:
You should not get H1N1 flu vaccine if you have a severe (life-threatening) allergy to eggs, or to any other substance in the vaccine. Tell the person giving you the vaccine if you have any severe allergies.
Also tell them if you have ever had:
If you are moderately or severely ill, you might be advised to wait until you recover before getting the vaccine. If you have a mild cold or other illness, there is usually no need to wait.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women can get inactivated H1N1 flu vaccine.
Inactivated H1N1 vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines, including seasonal influenza vaccine.
Top of pageGet vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available.
Children through 9 years of age should get two doses of vaccine, about a month apart. Older children and adults need only one dose.
Top of pageA vaccine, like any medicine, could cause a serious problem, such as a severe allergic reaction. But the risk of any vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.
The virus in inactivated H1N1 vaccine has been killed, so you cannot get influenza from the vaccine.
The risks from inactivated H1N1 vaccine are similar to those from seasonal inactivated flu vaccine:
If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1-2 days.
LAIV is approved for people from 2 through 49 years of age who are not pregnant and do not have certain health conditions (see nest question, below). Groups recommended to receive H1N1 LAIV first are healthy people who:
As more vaccine becomes available, other healthy 25 through 49 year olds should also be vaccinated.
Note: While certain groups should not get LAIV (for example pregnant women, people with long-term health problems, and children from 6 months to 2 years of age), it is important that they be vaccinated. They should get the 2009 H1N1 flu shot.
The Federal government is providing this vaccine for receipt on a voluntary basis. However, state law or employers may require vaccination for certain persons.
Top of pageYou should not get H1N1 LAIV if you have a severe (life-threatening) allergy to eggs, or to any other substance in the vaccine. Tell the person giving you the vaccine if you have any severe allergies.
H1N1 LAIV should not be given to the following groups.
If you are moderately or severely ill, you might be advised to wait until you recover before getting the vaccine. If you have a mild cold or other illness, there is usually no need to wait.
Tell your doctor if you ever had:
These may not be reasons to avoid the vaccine, but the medical staff can help you decide.
H1N1 LAIV may be given at the same time as most other vaccines. Tell your doctor if you got any other vaccines within the past month or plan to get any within the next month. H1N1 LAIV and seasonal LAIV should not be given together.
Top of pageGet vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available.
Children through 9 years of age should get two doses of vaccine, about a month apart. Older children and adults need only one dose.
Top of pageA vaccine, like any medicine, could cause a serious problem, such as a severe allergic reaction. But the risk of any vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.
The risks from H1N1 LAIV are expected to be similar to those from seasonal LAIV:
Some children and adolescents 2-17 years of age have reported mild reactions, including:
Some adults 18-49 years of age have reported:
Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
