Info on H1N1

AviatorJJ

I found general info on the FDA website about the vaccine

https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm150305.htm#vaccine 

What's in it:

The single-dose formulation is preservative-free; thimerosal, a mercury derivative, is not used in the manufacturing process for this formulation. The multi-dose formulation contains thimerosal, added as a preservative; each 0.5 mL dose contains 24.5 mcg of mercury.

(if your child has asthma they cannot use the Nasal Mist and need the injection form) 

How is it tested by the FDA:

There is considerable experience with seasonal influenza vaccine development and production and influenza vaccines produced by this technology have a long and successful track record of safety and effectiveness in the United States. The safety and effectiveness demonstrated for seasonal influenza vaccine also support the licensure of the Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent vaccines produced using the same process as for seasonal vaccine.

Clinical studies of the Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent vaccines are ongoing. FDA will be assessing information from these studies to determine the optimal dose of the vaccine based on immunogenicity data (the levels of antibodies produced).

The Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent vaccines will undergo the same rigorous testing and lot release procedures that are in place for seasonal influenza vaccines.

Also check out the CDC website:

https://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm

Will two doses of vaccine be required?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of one dose of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine for persons 10 years of age and older. This is slightly different from CDC?s recommendations for seasonal influenza vaccination which states that children younger than 9 who are being vaccinated against influenza for the first time need to receive two doses. Infants younger than 6 months of age are too young to get the 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines.

So does this mean that the two dose recommendation for those 10 and younger does contain thimerosal? What exactly is in it that doctors/people have concerns about  besides the thimerosal?

 

FutureMrsDenman

You have two shot choices, assuming that you can find or get access to both of them.

1) get a shot that comes from a multi-dose vial (these have thimerosal)

2) get a shot from a single-dose vial (these have no thimerosal)

I am assuming that option 1 is the most widely available becuase it would be cheapest to produce and distribute.  If you're really worried about the thimerosal, then I would search high and low for optnion 2 for both doses (for under 10 yr olds) rather than opption 1.  but I don't believe the amount of thimerosal or the type of mercury it contains are as big of a risk as the general public belives.