Is the vaccine safe?
Pandemrix and Celvapan are both licensed vaccines. Similar vaccines containing another flu virus strain (H5N1) have been clinically tested in trials involving over 5,000 people, including older people.
The trials show that people tolerate the vaccines well and are expected to produce enough antibodies to provide protection.
Experience with seasonal flu vaccines has shown that changing the strain of virus in a vaccine does not substantially affect the safety profile of the vaccines.
On 24 September the World Health Organisation reported that both non-clinical and clinical trials are being conducted to gain essential information on immune response and safety of pandemic flu vaccines. WHO also clearly stated that outcomes of trials completed to date on influenza A (H1N1) vaccines suggest that pandemic vaccines are as safe as seasonal influenza vaccines.
Will there be any trials conducted using the vaccine?
In addition to trials for the licence process, fourteen research projects into H1N1 have been fast tracked by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) on behalf of the Department of Health. Three of these research projects, which are expected to report by the end of the year, relate specifically to influenza A (H1N1) vaccines.
Further information is available at www.nihr.ac.uk
Does the vaccine have any side effects?
All vaccines can produce side effects such as redness, soreness and swelling at the site of the injection. Flu vaccines can cause symptoms like fever, headache and muscle aches, but they are much milder than the flu itself and only last a day or so.
If you are concerned about side effects, talk to your GP.