The swine flu vaccine that is being produced for distribution within the United States is manufactured by four companies. Three of these companies, CSL Limited, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited, and Sanofi Pasteur, Inc., are licensed to produce the injectable version of the H1N1 vaccine. The inhaled version of the vaccine, which uses a live virus, is produced by MedImmune, LLC.
Live H1N1 Virus Vaccination
The inhaled version of the H1N1 vaccine contains an attenuated, or weakened, strain of the Novel A (H1N1) swine flu virus. In addition to the virus, this formulation contains monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG. It also contains hydrolyzed porcine gelatin (pork product), arginine, sucrose (sugar), dibasic and monobasic potassium phosphate, and gentamicin sulfate (an antibiotic).
Injectable Swine Flu Vaccine For Adults Only
The swine flu vaccine produced by CSL Limited is only intended for adults ages 18 and older. The virus present in this vaccine, and all injectable influenza vaccines, is inactive, or dead. In addition to the pieces of virus, this vaccine also contains sodium chloride (salt), monobasic and dibasic sodium phosphate, monobasic potassium phosphate, potassium chloride, and calcium chloride.
Swine Flu Vaccine for Children and Adults
The swine flu shot manufactured by Novartis is approved for children ages four and up and adults. Along with the inactivated virus, this formulation of the H1N1 vaccine contains ovalbumin, which is an egg protein. In addition, this formulation contains two antibiotics: polymyxin and neomycin. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies betapropiolactone, also present in this vaccine, as a possible human carcinogen, or cancer causing agent. An adjuvant called Nonylphenol ethoxylate is used to reduce the amount of antigen necessary per dose of vaccine.
Swine Flu Shot for Infants and Up
The only swine flu vaccine that is cleared for infants is made by Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. This vaccine is approved for infants of six months and up, toddlers, children, and adults. In addition to inactivated virus, this vaccine also contains gelatin from unspecified sources, polyethylene glycol p-isooctylphenyl ether, and sucrose, as well as formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is used in the production of the vaccine, in order to kill the live swine flu virus.
Mercury in Swine Flu Vaccine
The inhalable swine flu vaccine contains no mercury. Injectable H1N1 vaccines in multi-dose formulations contain thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative meant to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus in the vaccine. The single-dose formulation produced by Novartis also contains trace amounts of thimerosal.
References:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine (CSL Limited)
Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine (Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited)
Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine (Sanofi Pasteur, Inc.)
Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine (MedImmune LLC)
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