Do I need the vaccine if I’ve already had swine flu?

Yes, unless the diagnosis was confirmed by a laboratory test.

Is it safe to have my seasonal flu jab and the swine flu vaccine at the same time?

Yes.

I’ve never had the seasonal flu vaccine before and haven’t had any problems with flu – why should the swine flu be any different?

We know that swine flu can lead to serious complications. The most severe cases tend to involve people with underlying Health conditions – but even among healthy people, it has the potential to be dangerous.

I’ve heard the vaccine causes flu – will I get sick after having the jab?

The vaccines contain inactivated flu viruses so they can’t cause flu. Some people experience mild side effects, including a slight fever, aches and pains. These reactions usually disappear within one to two days without treatment. Most people will experience nothing worse than a sore arm.

How long will the immunity last – will I need to be vaccinated every year?

It is anticipated that this vaccine will provide protection against swine flu for the duration of the pandemic. The vaccine may also provide some protection should the virus change.

However, it will only protect against the pandemic flu strain, so vulnerable people need to continue to have their annual seasonal flu jab.

Does the vaccine contain mercury?

Pandemrix from GSK contains very small quantities of thiomersal, a preservative that contains mercury. Thiomersal has been used in vaccines for over 60 years to prevent bacterial contamination. Studies by the World Health Organisation and the UK Commission on Human Medicine have found no evidence of health risks linked to thiomersal.

Can the vaccine be given to people with an egg allergy?

Because of the way the GSK (Pandemrix) vaccine is made people with a confirmed anaphylactic reaction to egg products should not have this vaccine and will be offered the Baxter vaccine, Celvapan.

I’m allergic to latex – are the vaccines safe for me?

Yes, both vaccines are manufactured and packaged without latex.

Does the vaccine contain pork products?

Some porcine products are used in the manufacturing process of the Baxter vaccine.

However there are no detectable traces of these products in the vaccine itself. The GSK vaccine (Pandemrix) does not contain porcine products.

Can the swine flu vaccine be given to women who are pregnant?

Yes, pregnant women are at an increased risk from the complications of swine flu and are more likely to be hospitalised. Both Pandemrix and Celvapan are licensed for use in pregnant women.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation have advised that pregnant women should be given the single dose Pandemrix as it offers quicker protection than a two-dose vaccine.

Why do frontline NHS staff need the vaccination?

It is important we do everything we can to stop vulnerable patients from catching the virus.

Vaccination can help us protect frontline health professionals from unnecessary risk. It is also the most effective way pf preventing disruption due to staff absence.