Everything You (Didn't?) Want To Know About Flu Shots

I got my seasonal flu shot last Thursday as I have done for many years.   This is for the typical varieties of influenza that go around each year, not the new H1N1 influenza which will have a separate vaccination.  Some previous years I felt some soreness afterward but none this time. 

There has been a lot of discussion in the news and at work about the potential H1N1 influenza pandemic and the vaccinations for it.   A recent survey reported on the news said that 50% of Canadians are not going to get the H1N1 flu shot due to various concerns.

One of the concerns about the new H1N1 flu shot is that it has an extra additive called an adjuvant that the seasonal flu shot does not have.  An adjuvant is an additive that helps stimulate the immune response and increases the effectiveness of the vaccine. The adjuvant in the H1N1 vaccine to be used in Canada contains squalene oil, vitamin E and an emulsifier.   Squalene is a natural substance in every plant and animal, and in our bodies it is manufactured by the liver and circulates in our blood stream.  If you Google squalene you will get many many hits from the scientific to the conspiracy theorists.    One controversy is a claim that it was the cause of Gulf War Syndrome among soldiers given flu shots is in the 1970s.  Others are concerned because it is something new and unfamiliar.  Reports by the World Health Organization about squalene adjuvants say they have been used safely in vaccines in Europe for many years. 

The tests with the the new H1N1 vaccine with squalene adjuvant show it can give more chance of soreness or pain in the arm where it is injected.   Other serious reactions are very rare as with other flu shots.  But more importantly has been observed to be more effective than the standard flu shots.

Another concern is that the flu shots contain thimerosal  a preservative containing mercury.   But the amount of mercury is less than the approved safe level for one can of tuna.  The new H1N1 flu shots have less mercury than the regular seasonal flu shots.

The US is using a different H1N1 flu shot than Canada with no adjuvant.  Their rationale is that without the new ingredient it could go through testing sooner and start production.  If the H1N1 influenza turns out to be less severe they feel the higher effectiveness of an adjuvant will not be needed.  However if the H1N1 virus mutates and becomes more dangerous they have some adjuvant available to add to the vaccinations.  The same as Canada the US vaccine is made from killed virus material.  However the US also has weakened live virus nasal spray vaccinations for healthy adults.   You could get influenza from the nasal spray but not from the flu shots with killed virus.     

I am someone who likes to be knowledgeable about whatever medication I am taking.  And I am basically an inquisitive fellow so I researched the ingredients of the new flu shots.   Even with some of the uncertainties I am still planning to get the H1N1 flu shot when it becomes available.  But I am still trusting God as the primary protection for my health.