H1N1 Nasal Spray Vaccine Safety Concerns

As of this week, we have received more than 1.5 million doses of H1N1 vaccine in the state. Like every other state, more than 1 out of every 5 doses we receive is in the nasal spray (sometimes called LAIV for Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine) formulation. While some residents have expressed concern about the safety of the H1N1 nasal spray, DPH would like to assure everyone that LAIV is a safe and effective vaccine option for healthy people 2 years through 49 years of age who are not pregnant. This vaccine is also safe for breastfeeding mothers.

Questions often arise about LAIV because it contains live viruses. These viruses, however, are attenuated (weakened) and cannot cause the flu. Any side effects that may arise from the nasal spray, such as runny nose or sore throat, are mild and short-lasting, especially when compared to symptoms of the flu itself. In addition, studies have shown that transmission of vaccine viruses, or shedding, to close contacts occurred very rarely. The CDC estimates that risk of getting infected with the flu virus after close contact with a person vaccinated with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is extremely low.

In addition, nearly all healthy, non-pregnant health care workers, including those who come in contact with newborn infants, pregnant women, persons with a solid organ transplant, persons receiving chemotherapy (not in preparation for a bone marrow transplant), and persons with HIV/AIDS, may receive the nasal spray vaccine if they are eligible. However, LAIV should not be used for health care personnel who care for patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (i.e., patients who require a protected environment). Although no immunocompromised patient has been harmed by use of LAIV among health care workers, the recommendation is intended as an extra precaution for medically fragile immunocompromised patients.

However, there are certain people who should not receive the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine. These include:

• People younger than 2 years of age;
• Pregnant women;
• People 50 years of age and older;
• 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;
• Children younger than 5 years old with a history of recurrent wheezing;
• Children or adolescents receiving aspirin therapy;
• People who have had Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare disorder of the nervous system, within 6 weeks of getting a flu vaccine.

People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs or who are allergic to any of the nasal spray vaccine components should not receive any type of influenza vaccine.

For additional information on the safety profile of the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine visit the CDC website at: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/nasalspray_qa.htm

We encourage all residents to utilize the comments section on this blog to engage with us and each other. While we cannot respond to every comment or question directly, we find them very helpful to understand your questions and concerns and plan for future posts.

Comments

[Joan]

Is there a specific vaccine declination form for H1N1 vaccine or can the seasonal one be used?
Thank you very much. ----------------------------------------------
DPH RESPONDS: Thank you for your question. Any declination form can be used. The provider should just make sure that it is clearly indicated which vaccine is being declined.

[Aggravated with the System]

on the TV ad from Mass.Gov they say it is free? But no where on the website can I find anything about it being free, I called a few places and they are not free. Do I need to be on Welfare to get it free? Or do I have to pay for it for myself and Welfare recipients??? -------------------------------DPH RESPONDS: Thank you for your question. The H1N1 vaccine is free at all public clinics, such as those sponsored by local community health centers or local departments of public health. Doctor's offices are also offering the vaccine free of charge, however, you may be responsible for a co-pay at your visit - as you would at any other appointment. Finally, pharmacies are offering the vaccine free of charge, however, they may charge you for the administration fee. All public and many pharmacy based clinics can be found at http://flu.masspro.org. You can also try contacting your local department of public health directly to see if or when they will be hosting clinics in your area.

[yahawaha]

Whats the point? I dutifully got vaccinated with both seasonal and H1n1 and you know what. A month later I was in bed with flu. Let me tell you something about fighting. Fight to get the price of oseltamivir down. the first cap. in a 10 cap. regimen made me normal again. I can't believe how much money Roche is making in flu season [though off this wonder drug] by keeping the price at 100$.

[Rick Bowen]

My primary care doctor is located in Charlton Mass at the Charlton Family Practice. I had to go to a clinic at CVS in Charlton to get the regular flu shot and now I have been told that even though the office orders the H1N1 vaccine every Monday all they have rec'd is enough to administer it to children. What is up with that? When is it going to be available to everyone? I work with the public and I would like to be protected too.

[John Coombs Jr]

Is this the final list, or will more clinics open soon? Every location within 20 miles of me is for their town residents only, so I'm not eligible. When to the other towns get their vaccine?

[Theresa]

Have h1n1 available in my town but not in nasal spray form and that is what my son needs. How can we get it if my town, his primary care and hemotologist at a well know hospital has nothing but are all saying that is all he can receive. I am willing to just do nothing at this point and take our chances that he will not get the flu seasonal or other.

[Gene]

Where are these doses going? 1.5 million, yet my health care provider, and my children's health care provider, still do not have them available? I am in the high risk group (asthmatic) yet cannot get the vaccine.

[mary]

Vaccine should be available to all by now. This is unacceptable at this point.