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

In this Article

• 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?

Should the nasal-spray flu vaccine be given to patients with chronic diseases other than those specifically listed above?

No. The nasal-spray flu vaccine is approved for use only in healthy* people 2 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Are there any contraindications to giving breastfeeding mothers the 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccine?

Breastfeeding is not a contraindication for the nasal spray flu vaccine. Women who are breastfeeding can get the nasal spray vaccine, including 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccine.

Can pregnant women be in contact with someone who has gotten the nasal spray swine flu vaccine (LAIV)?

Yes. A pregnant woman can be in close contact with someone who has gotten the nasal spray flu vaccine (LAIV). A pregnant woman can also administer (give) a nasal spray vaccine (LAIV). Because the viruses in the nasal spray vaccine are attenuated or weakened, vaccine viruses are unlikely to cause any illness symptoms, even if an unvaccinated person inadvertently gets vaccine viruses in their nose. The nasal spray vaccine against seasonal influenza viruses has been used in millions of school children and healthy adults since it was licensed, and there have been no reports of pregnant women becoming ill after exposure to their vaccinated children or other family members.

While it's OK for her contacts to get the nasal spray vaccine, this vaccine should not be given to pregnant women. While LAIV is not known to be a safety risk for pregnant women, there have not been studies of LAIV among pregnant women to assess safety and effectiveness for use in this group. LAIV can be given to women after they have delivered, even if they are nursing.

CDC recommends that pregnant woman get both the 2009 H1N1 flu shot and the seasonal flu shot. Flu shots are made with a killed virus, and have not been shown to cause harm to pregnant women or their babies.

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