officials to monitor and investigate any unusual reactions to the vaccine, but it is expected to be as safe as the seasonal flu vaccines that have a very high safety track record. Common side effects are generally mild and include tenderness or swelling at the injection site. Life threatening reactions are rare.
Concerns over the safety of the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine, and the speed at which it was brought to market continue, as it becomes available to the general public amidst a massive campaign to inoculate Americans and lessen the impact of the pandemic.
The injection does not contain a live virus, so you cannot get the flu from the flu shot. The nasal spray does contain a weakened live virus.
The CDC website reports that, “in 1976, an earlier type of swine flu vaccine was associated with cases of a severe paralytic illness called Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) at a rate of approximately 1 case of GBS per 100,000 persons vaccinated. Some studies done since 1976 have shown a small risk of GBS in persons who received the seasonal influenza vaccine. This risk is estimated to be no more than 1 case of GBS per 1 million persons vaccinated. Pregnant women should tell the person giving the shots if they have ever had GBS.”
