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 used together with influenza antiviral medications?

If a person is taking an influenza antiviral drug (including Tamiflu® or Relenza®, then the nasal spray flu vaccine should not be given until 48 hours after the last dose of the influenza antiviral medication was given. If a person takes antiviral drugs within two weeks of getting the nasal spray flu vaccine, that person should get revaccinated. (The antiviral drugs will have killed the vaccine viruses that are supposed to cause the immune response against those viruses.)

Antiviral drugs can be taken with the inactivated (i.e. killed) flu vaccine.

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?

Ideally the same type of vaccine should be used for both doses as we know a series of two doses of the same type of vaccine has worked in clinical trials. No information is available about how effective a series of two different vaccines might be. If different types of vaccine are used for the first and second doses, however, there is no need to revaccinate a child. The doses should be separated by at least one month (28 days).

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