We have fielded many questions about H1N1 virus and the vaccines. There remain more questions than answers, but here are a few common questions.
1) How dangerous is H1N1 infection?
Children and adults with H1N1 infection are generally ill (fever, sore throat, cough, aches) for 3-5 days. The vast majority of people fully recover. In some cases, there are complications that lead to hospitalization, and in very rare cases the illness can be very serious or fatal. Children with significant underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of complications. The good news is that the H1N1 virus does NOT seem to be much more serious than the seasonal flu which comes every year. The bad news is that because it is a new strain of flu, and the vast majority of people have no immunity to it, many more people than usual will become ill this year.
2) Do we recommend the vaccine?
Yes. In the past, flu shots have been only variably effective at preventing influenza. Some years, the shot is a good "match" to the influenza strains, and the shot is effective. In other years less so. This year, the H1N1 shot should be effective - we know the "match" will be good.
3) Is the vaccine safe?
Every year, the flu shot is manufactured and tested relatively quickly (because the strains of flu change every year). This year is really not that different. While it is true that there is not a lot of data, there is no indication of unusual harm or serious side-effects to the flu shot this year compared to other years.
4) What about the "adjuvant"?
There are 2 versions of the H1N1 vaccine; one that contains an adjuvant, and one that does not. An adjuvant is a chemical added to the vaccine to make a stronger immune response. This allows more people to be vaccinated, and stretches the vaccine supply. Most of the H1N1 shots will contain the adjuvant. There will be a very limited amount of adjuvant-free vaccine (1.8 million doses for the entire country), which will be used mainly for pregnant women and possibly for children less than 3 years old. While H1N1 is the first vaccine used in Canada to contain an adjuvant, it has been present in vaccines used in many people in other parts of the world with no proven ill effects. We still do not know when/how much of each vaccine we will be receiving from Toronto Public Health. To date we have received vaccine containing adjuvant, and we do not anticipate getting adjuvant-free vaccine in the near future.
5) When can my child get the shot?
We have been holding regular vaccination clinics for our HIGH-RISK patients; the frequency of these clinics is based on vaccine availability. We do not yet know when we will be receiving enough vaccine to offer it to NON-high risk patients. We will NOT be able to immunize parents/adults. Stay tuned to this site for dates/times, which are posted on the home page.
6) What about booster shots?
Children under the age of 9 have received a half-dose of vaccine initially. There is a possibility that they may need a repeat booster shot in 3-4 weeks, but this remains to be determined by Public Health. Please check this site regularly for updates.
7) What is the bottom line?
The final decision to immunize your child or not involves is a personal one, and involves a balance of risks. The reason we have recommended the H1N1 vaccine is that we believe that any risks to giving the vaccine are outweighed by the benefits. There are theoretical risks to giving any vaccine (for example, side effects that are not known until the vaccine becomes widely used), but this is more than countered by the fact that there are small but real risks of serious illness from H1N1 influenza.
Links to more information
H1N1 in children
H1N1 general information
