What’s the Difference? Seasonal Flu Vaccine vs. H1N1 Flu Vaccine
August 14, 2009With the recent news and spread of Swine Flu and the production of the H1N1 Flu Vaccine, you may have questions about the differences between the new H1N1 Flu vaccine and the Seasonal Flu vaccine. Well, we’re here to help distinguish the difference between these two types of flu shots! Here is some information that should help you know the difference between these two vaccines. Nothing is definite regarding H1N1 vaccine delivery dates, but here is what we know as of today:
Seasonal Flu Vaccine:
- Single annual dose (or 2 doses one-month apart for first-time vaccinations for children younger than 9 years old)
- Covers 3 different strains of the seasonal influenza virus
- Will be provided in our offices and during our Flu Clinics
- Does not give you protection against H1N1 novel flu
- Recommended for anyone who wants to avoid getting the flu, with extra emphasis on young children and the elderly population
- Passport Health provides Preservative-free and Thimerosal-free seasonal flu vaccine in all of our public flu clinics
- Remember; 36,000 people die every year from complications of seasonal influenza
H1N1 Novel Flu Vaccine:
- Two-dose series, with the 2 shots given 3 weeks apart
- Covers 1 strain of novel flu (H1N1 novel flu virus)
- Does not give protection against seasonal flu
- Vaccine is still being tested and manufactured, and may be available in late September, October or November
- Initially recommended for populations at risk, which include pregnant women, infants, caregivers, and young people under the age of 24
- Is expected to be available from private channels (Passport Health) and through public health (government) sources
Passport Health Colorado is watching the H1N1 novel flu situation very closely, including possible participation in H1N1 novel flu clinical trials. For more information, visit the CDC’s Novel H1N1 Vaccination Planning Q&A web page. We will keep you updated as more information on the H1N1 novel flu vaccine becomes available.
Written by: Rebecca Sundhagen, RN, BSN; Nurse Manager for Passport Health Colorado
What are the plans for developing 2009 H1N1 vaccine?
Vaccines are the most powerful public health tool for control of influenza, and the U.S. government is working closely with manufacturers to take steps in the process to manufacture a 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Working together with scientists in the public and private sector, CDC has isolated the new H1N1 virus and modified the virus so that it can be used to make hundreds of millions of doses of vaccine. Vaccine manufacturers are now using these materials to begin vaccine production. Making vaccine is a multi-step process which takes several months to complete. Candidate vaccines will be tested in clinical trials over the few months.