The CDC strongly recommends that all members of the population receive the swine flu vaccine, particularly pregnant women and any children age 6 months and up, as well as anyone who cares for these high risk groups. Consumers, however, are leery of the swine flu vaccine, due to a complete lack of testing. In order to understand the potential risks behind getting the H1N1 vaccine, consumers can read the package insert for each formulation.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides package insert information for all four formulations of the H1N1 vaccine. The adults-only vaccine made by CSL Limited, the vaccine made by Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited, which is approved for ages 4 and up, the vaccine made by Sanofi Pasteur, Inc., which is approved for infants ages 6 months and up, and the intranasal vaccine, approved for toddlers age 2 and up, were all approved in September, 2009.
All safety and dosage information used for the H1N1 vaccine package insert is based on historical information about the seasonal influenza vaccine, but ingredient information is accurate. Among other ingredients, different formulations of the swine flu vaccine contain cancer-causing agents, mercury, and MSG. While most single-dose formulations of the H1N1 vaccine are mercury-free, the single-dose vials produced by Novartis do contain trace amounts of thimerosal. Most of the thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, is removed by a purification process, but small amounts remain after processing.
Before making a choice about getting the swine flu vaccine, consumers should research, and get all the facts about the H1N1 vaccine.
