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?

Can the nasal-spray swine flu vaccine be given to patients when they are ill?

The nasal-spray flu vaccine can be given to people with minor illnesses (e.g., diarrhea or mild upper respiratory tract infection with or without fever). However, if nasal congestion is present that might limit delivery of the vaccine to the nasal lining, then delaying of vaccination until the nasal congestion is reduced should be considered.

Can people receiving the nasal-spray swine flu vaccine LAIV pass the vaccine viruses to others?

In clinical studies, transmission of vaccine viruses to close contacts occurred only rarely. The current estimated risk of getting infected with vaccine virus after close contact with a person vaccinated with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is low (0.6%-2.4%). Because the viruses are weakened, infection is unlikely to result in influenza illness symptoms since the vaccine viruses have not been shown change into typical or naturally occurring influenza viruses.

Can contacts of people with weakened immune systems get the nasal-spray swine flu vaccine?

People who are in contact with others with severely weakened immune systems when they are being cared for in a protective environment (for example, people with hematopoietic stem cell transplants), should not get the nasal spray vaccine, including the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine if they will come into contact with the severely immunocompromised person within 7 days of vaccination. People who have contact with others with lesser degrees of immunosuppression (for example, people with diabetes, people with asthma taking corticosteroids, or people infected with HIV) can get the nasal spray vaccine.

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