|
|
| Administration |
| Mission and values |
| Code of ethics |
| Our History |
| Quality Indicators |
| Publications and Magazines |
| 75th anniversary |
| Statistics |
| Distinguished Service Award |
| Affiliated institutions |
| Special feature on the JGH |
| Buildings under construction |
| Galerie 3755 |
| JGH musical video |
| General information |
| Clinics and testing |
| Preparing for your admission |
| Who provides your care? |
| Patient resources |
| My Surgery |
| Patient & Family Resource Centre |
| Gyn-Onc Health Information Service |
| Glaucoma information centre |
| Health Alerts |
| Humanization of Care |
| Living Will |
| Special Events |
| Hotels Near the JGH |
| Find a Department |
| Clinical |
| Administrative |
| Research at the JGH |
| The Lady Davis Institute (LDI) |
| Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Community Studies (CCECS) |
| Core Facilities Welcome |
| JGH Programs |
| Research Ethics Committee |
| Health Sciences Library (HSL) |
| Dr. Henry Kravitz Psychiatry Library (ICFP) |
| JGH Archives |
| Overview |
| Make a Donation |
| JGH Foundation |
| Auxiliary |
| Volunteering |
| Hope & Cope |
| Home | | About Us | | Patients and Visitors | | Departments | | Research | | Libraries | | Support the JGH | |
|
|
 |
|
Pulse (Winter 2009) - Visit our Publications pageDespite all of the information flowing to the public about the Influenza A H1N1 Flu vaccine, many people have questions about its effectiveness and safety.
Question: Does the vaccine really work?
Answer: The simple answer is yes. The vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the spread of the virus. It is true that some people (roughly 10-15 per cent of people vaccinated) won’t develop immunity, even though they get the vaccine. This is because not all immune systems respond in the same way to the immunization.
Question: Are there potentially serious side effects?
Answer: It is normal to have concerns about side effects. There are some risks associated with the flu vaccine, but the chance of developing serious side effects is low. Vaccines are among the safest tools used in medicine. In Canada, serious side effects have occurred in about one for every 100,000 doses of vaccine given. Most of the side effects from vaccines are minor and temporary, like a sore arm or mild fever.
Question: Can the vaccine give me the H1N1 virus?
Answer: Absolutely not. The vaccine contains dead influenza viruses, and they cannot cause infection. People sometimes think they have the flu after receiving the vaccine because they have side effects, such as a mild fever.
Question: Does the vaccine contain mercury, and if yes, is it safe?
Answer: The vaccine contains thimerosal, a preservative that naturally contains mercury. It has been used in vaccines since the 1930s. The amount of mercury in thimerosal in the influenza vaccine is very small and has not been shown to cause any harm.
Question: If I get the regular flu vaccine every year, am I protected from the H1N1 virus?
Answer: No. The Influenza A H1N1 virus is different from the regular flu virus. The regular annual flu vaccine will not protect you against H1N1.
If you have questions about the Influenza A H1N1 flue vaccine, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or health professionals.
– Megan Martin, Pharmacy Communications Officer
|
|
|
|