The swine flu vaccine is produced by four different companies in the United States. Three companies offer swine flu vaccine for injections, and one company provides an intranasal spray vaccine that is inhaled through the nose. H1N1 vaccine ingredients are different for each manufacturer, and each formulation is approved for different age ranges.
Intranasal Swine Flu Vaccine Ingredients
The intranasal swine flu vaccine contains the live H1N1 virus. The virus is weakened by a process called attenuation, in which is it cultured repeatedly in different environments. The swine flu virus used in the intranasal spray is unable to thrive anywhere other than in the nose. This vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women or children under the age of two years.
In addition to the attenuated H1N1 virus, this vaccine contains hydrolyzed porcine gelatin, an amino acid called arginine, sucrose (sugar), monosodium glutamate (MSG), an emulsifier called monobasic potassium phosphate, and gentamicin sulfate, which is an antibiotic. This vaccine contains no mercury.
H1N1 Vaccine for Adults
The swine flu vaccine produced by CSL Limited is only approved for injection in individuals age 18 and over. Injected versions of the vaccine contained an inactivated, or dead virus. Other ingredients in this vaccine include: sodium chloride (salt), and calcium chloride, an additive used to firm up soft foods like cheeses. This H1N1 vaccine's ingredients also include several emulsifiers: monobasic sodium phosphate, dibasic sodium phosphate, monobasic potassium phosphate, and potassium chloride. Single dose vials of this vaccine contain no mercury. Multi-dose vials contain 24.5 micrograms of mercury per .5 mL dose.
Kids' Swine Flu Vaccine Ingredients
The swine flu vaccine injection approved for kids age four and up is produced by Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited. This injection contains polymyxin and neomycin, which are both antibiotics. Betapropiolactone, another ingredient in this vaccine, is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Another ingredient in this vaccine is an adjuvant called nonylphenol ethoxylate. Single-dose vials of this vaccine contain no more than one microgram of mercury per .5 mL dose, while multi-dose vials contain 25 micrograms of mercury per .5 mL dose.
H1N1 Vaccine for Babies
The H1N1 Vaccine for babies, six months and up, is produced by Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. This vaccine contains gelatin, polyethylene glycol p-isooctylphenyl ether, sucrose (sugar), and formaldehyde, which is classed as a known carcinogen by the National Cancer Institute. Single-dose preparations of this vaccine contain no mercury. Multi-dose containers of the vaccine contain 25 micrograms of mercury per .5 mL dose.
Manufacturer Recommendations
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend swine flu vaccination for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. The manufacturers of the H1N1 vaccine do not recommend their products for pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers, however, due to a lack of testing.
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)
National Cancer Institute
International Agency for Research on Cancer
Victoria Nicks - Victoria Nicks has a Master's Degree in IT, and extensive hands-on experience with various types of hardware and software.
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