H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine:
Live, Attenuated Intranasal Spray

1. Swine Flu (H1N1) Vaccine Slideshow Pictures
2. Swine Flu (H1N1) FAQ Slideshow Pictures
3. Strep or Sore Throat Slideshow Pictures

Influenza A (H1N1) Monovalent Nasal-Spray Flu Vaccine (Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine [LAIV])

• What is the nasal spray swine flu vaccine?
• How is the 2009 H1N1 swine flu nasal spray vaccine different from the seasonal nasal spray vaccine?
• Who can be vaccinated with the 2009 H1N1 swine flu nasal-spray flu vaccine (LAIV)?
• Can health care providers get the live attenuated influenza vaccine?
• Who should not be vaccinated with the 2009 H1N1 nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV?
• Should the nasal-spray flu vaccine be given to patients with chronic diseases other than those specifically listed above?
• Are there any contraindications to giving breastfeeding mothers the 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccine?
• Can pregnant women be in contact with someone who has gotten the nasal spray swine flu vaccine (LAIV)?
• Can the nasal-spray swine flu vaccine be given to patients when they are ill?
• Can people receiving the nasal-spray swine flu vaccine LAIV pass the vaccine viruses to others?
• Can contacts of people with weakened immune systems get the nasal-spray swine flu vaccine?
• What side effects are associated with the nasal-spray swine flu vaccine?
• How effective is the nasal-spray seasonal flu vaccine?
• When should the 2009 H1N1 nasal-spray flu vaccine be given?
• How many doses of nasal spray vaccine are needed?
• Can people who got the flu shot last year get the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV this year?
• Can the nasal-spray swine flu vaccine be given at the same time as other vaccines?
• Can the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine and the seasonal nasal spray vaccine be given at the same time to the same person?
• Can the nasal-spray swine flu vaccine be used together with influenza antiviral medications?
• If a child under the age of 9 years is getting seasonal influenza vaccine for the first time and requires 2 doses, does the same type of vaccine have to be used for both doses?
• How is the nasal-spray flu vaccine stored?
• Can health care workers who cannot receive the nasal spray vaccine (e.g., pregnant women, older adults, persons with chronic medical conditions) administer this vaccine to others?
• What personal protective equipment is recommended for health care workers who are giving the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine?
• Does the nasal spray flu vaccine contain thimerosal?
• Can the nasal spray flu vaccine give you the flu?
• Who makes the nasal spray vaccine?

What is the nasal spray swine flu vaccine?

There are two types of flu vaccine: the flu shot and the nasal spray vaccine. Both types of vaccine are being made against 2009 H1N1 swine flu. The nasal spray flu vaccine (sometimes called LAIV for Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine) is a vaccine made with live, weakened viruses that cannot grow at normal body temperature and is given via a nasal sprayer. This vaccine was approved for seasonal influenza viruses in 2003 and tens of millions of doses of the vaccine have been given in the United States.

How is the 2009 H1N1 swine flu nasal spray vaccine different from the seasonal nasal spray vaccine?

The 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine is being made in the same way as the seasonal nasal spray vaccine, but instead of containing three weakened live flu viruses, it only contains weakened 2009 H1N1 swine flu virus. (That is why it' is called a "monovalent" vaccine.). The recommendations for who can get the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine are the same as for seasonal nasal spray vaccine. LAIV is recommended for use in healthy* people 2 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Who can be vaccinated with the 2009 H1N1 swine flu nasal-spray flu vaccine (LAIV)?

The 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine is recommended for use in healthy people 2 years Through 49 years of age who are not pregnant. See below

SOURCE: CDC; "Questions & Answers: 2009 H1N1 Nasal Spray Vaccine."