The process of making an influenza vaccine is dependent on chicken eggs and is a time-consuming process that has been around for decades. The production of each lot of H1N1 vaccine takes months from beginning to end. The outdated process, egg shortages, testing requirements, and packaging all contribute to the slowdown in production. While vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women and children will receive swine flu vaccinations first, the current supplies are not enough to protect even this small segment of the population.
Swine Flu Vaccine Production
The swine flu vaccine is produced by using chicken eggs. The eggs are cracked slightly, and an influenza reagent created with a combination of lab-produced virus and the H1N1 virus is injected into the egg white. The virus multiplies within the egg over the course of two to three days, and is removed and isolated from the egg white. The resulting purified virus is then treated in one of two ways, depending on which type of vaccine it is to be used for.
Injectable Swine Flu Vaccine
In order to create an injectable swine flu vaccine, the virus is killed using chemicals after being extracted from the egg white. The proteins in the virus are processed to create a solution that will result in the correct immune response in patients receiving the H1N1 vaccination.
Inhaled Swine Flu Vaccine
The inhaled swine flu vaccine contains the live H1N1 influenza virus. The virus has been weakened to the point where it should not be able to infect the person being vaccinated, if the person has a normal immune system. It is not recommended for children under the age of two years, pregnant women, or anyone with weak immune function, in order to prevent potential infection.
H1N1 Vaccine Production Slowdown
The H1N1 Vaccine production is slowed by several factors, causing the amount of time required to produce sufficient swine flu vaccine to be extended, contributing to a shortage of the H1N1 vaccine. The factors are as follows:
- Eggs: Due to the fact that the process relies on chicken eggs, H1N1 vaccine production is limited by the number of eggs available. In addition, the amount of virus that grows within each egg limits the amount of swine flu vaccine produced in each batch.
- Packaging: The packaging process can also create stoppages in the production of the H1N1 vaccine, as factories are not equipped for high-volume production.
- Testing: Testing of each batch of vaccine can also add to the time delay before batches of vaccine are available to the public.
H1N1 Vaccine Shortage Consequences
As swine flu vaccine manufacturers work to produce adequate amounts of the H1N1 vaccine to meet the needs of vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women and young children, the general public continues to be exposed to the swine flu virus. This increases the pool of people who are swine flu carriers, infecting other people. As the spread of the swine flu continues, it becomes increasingly important for the vaccine to be readily available, in order to prevent further loss of life.
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Benefits & Risks of Swine Flu Shots in Pregnancy
Health Concerns for Pregnant Women Getting the H1N1 Vaccination
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Dangers to Babies from the Swine Flu Vaccine
H1N1 Vaccination Safety vs. Risks for Infants and Small Children
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References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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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