H1N1 Vaccine: No Serious Side Effects Found, Says WHO

by Yuliya Talmazan | November 5, 2009 at 11:57 am

3436 views | 25 Recommendations | 11 comments

WHO released its latest findings today, confirming that the H1N1 vaccine has not produced any serious or unusual side effects in the one million people in 20 countries around the world who have already received it. WHO's top flu expert Dr. Keiji Fukuda said that the only significant side effect observed so far is soreness in the arm where the shot has been received. Fukuda also mentioned that the rate at which vaccinated individuals get this side effect from H1N1 shots may actually be lower than that seen with other seasonal flu vaccinations.

Fukuda reiterated that just one dose of the vaccine should be sufficient to provide adequate protection against the virus. He also mentioned that H1N1 is becoming the predominant flu strain this fall season, crowding out other flu strains. Finally, Fukuda said that the H1N1 virus has not mutated a great deal since its emergence in May, but that some mutations are expected as people start to build immunity against the virus. There is also no evidence thus far of the widespread occurrence of antiviral resistance.

Twenty countries have started to vaccinate against the pandemic virus and the initial picture suggests the vaccine is very safe, Dr. Keiji Fukuda, the global health agency's top flu expert, said in a news conference in Geneva.

"And the side-effects which are expected - such as a painful injection or perhaps some swelling at the injection site - these are occurring at rates which are expected and usually seen with seasonal influenza vaccine. So the picture right now looks quite good in terms of the safety."

Fukuda said rates of local reactions may actually be lower than what is seen with seasonal flu shots.

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car1edb

at 14:05 on November 5th, 2009

ermm.... really? its ok it just coincidence! "Go back to bed, shut up, watch this...." :(

interesting reading.

QueensHart

at 17:43 on November 5th, 2009

No thanks. I will take all my extra c's, other 20ish vitamins..keep my nostrils and hands clean...exercise..be happy for my immune system and stand away from hacking people.

If I hear of anyone with swine flu in my grandaughters class I begin to homeschool her. It is a filthy place and disgusting they cannot clean it daily. After all it is a government program right? What about air filters?

Blue Crush

at 08:32 on November 6th, 2009

Good to hear, hope the long term effects are the same.

A young relative of mine who just got the shot shot had tiredness, nausea, and still has severe itching - of the feet. Hopefully this will subside, it's only been 36 hours.

Most people that receive the vaccine have no side effects or a sore arm for one to two days. Other possible side effects that occur less commonly are listed below:

Very common (10% of people will have these side effects): Headache, tiredness, a hard lump at the injection site and joint pain.

Common (1% to 10% of people will have these side effects): Warmth, itching or bruising at the injection site; more sweating/shivering, flu-like symptoms, swollen gland in the neck, armpit or groin.

Uncommon (0.1% - 1% of people will have these side effects): Tingling or numbness of the hands or feet, sleepiness, sleeplessness; dizziness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, feeling sick, itching or rash.

The above-listed side effects usually disappear within 1-2 days without treatment. If they continue please consult your doctor.

Tomitheos

at 11:19 on November 7th, 2009

It is surprising how a flu strain can mutate to a northern climate so quickly and manage to dominate the common flu strain with such a hostile take over.

However I believe the findings from a medical stand point are very premature, side effects can appear in the long run and manifest down the road, especially with toxicity. Actor John Wayne was exposed to radiation from a contaminated area while filming on set and became ill many years later, he had no side effect until then.

I spoke to several hospital staff members and they have claimed that many innaculated staff at the North York General Hospital in Toronto developed adverse side effects, some became ill with severe flu like symptoms after the shot that lingered beyond the 36 hour time frame resulting for them to take several days off work.

It is understandable that these statistic(s) did not make it into the mainstream news because it would only hinder the effort of the vaccination trials.

Having the WHO's top flu expert Dr. Keiji Fukuda report that the only symptom from a needle to the arm was soreness in the needle entry area is practically no new information at all, we assumed as much I think.

hballin (not verified)

at 19:16 on November 7th, 2009

my 9 month old got the H1N1 vaccine yesterday day. now he is coughing and has a severe runny nose

gunxclimber (not verified)

at 14:55 on November 10th, 2009

This is simply not true, and here is a good example: www.newstheylose.com/2009/10/disabled-for-life-from-flu-shot.htmlIf you are thinking about taking these vaccines do yourself and read these articles first. They might just change your mind.Flu vaccines revealed as the greatest quackery ever pushed in the history of medicine:tr.im/vaccinescamFDA Approved H1N1 Vaccines Contain Ingredients Known to Cause Cancer and Death:tr.im/vaccinecausescancerIneffectiveness and Dangers of Flu Shots:tr.im/vaccinedangerBrooklyn girl winds up in hospital after being injected with H1N1 swine flu vaccine without parental permissiontr.im/nopermission

TaraB (not verified)

at 20:15 on November 11th, 2009

I also disagree with the notion that these side effects disappear within 1-2 days. I have had progressive tingling in my legs and now hands accompanied by hot sensations in both legs. Attributed to the vaccine, however I had the shot 7 days ago and it has only gotten worse.

concernedNYCer (not verified)

at 16:28 on November 13th, 2009

yes i've had the same tingling in both my legs and hands. i got the vaccine 11 days ago and the feeling has only gotten worse. is anyone else presenting with these symptoms? i've been referred to a neurologist but appt. is not til next friday... i'm scared!

Judi Gilliland (not verified)

at 06:46 on November 14th, 2009

I had the swine flu shot last weeknd. After I got the shot my rt. arm and hand went to sleep. The next day my left hand was tingling, along with both feet. It has been a week, and I still have symptoms, I hope its not permant, once nerves become inflamed I know it may take along time to heal, but this is driving me crazy.

toi (not verified)

at 08:52 on November 20th, 2009

Hi, I got the h1n1 nasal mist in mid October, and I have been having numbness, tingling and painful sensation on my left arm during sleep. This disturbs my sleep greatly. At first I thought I was sleeping on my left side cutting off the circulation, therefore numbness and tingling. But it continues even when I am sleeping on the right side or on my back. I have had poor sleep due to this since receiving the h1n1 vaccine. Also, I have this migrated aching pain. The aching pain can move from one part of my body to the other. Sometimes, I feel it in my chest. Other times, i feel it on my arm. I am concerned and wondering if this discomfort will ever go away.

Pasi

at 04:58 on November 12th, 2009

I took vaccine yesterday, my father got it last week. Personally I can confirm, that there are no serious side effects. My hand was a little sore and nothing else.