Pandemrix and Celvapan are both licensed for use for pregnant women. Similar vaccines containing another flu virus strain (H5N1) have been clinically tested in trials involving over 5,000 people. When it licensed the vaccines, the European Commission carefully considered all the evidence and recommended them for use. Women who are known to have become pregnant shortly after receiving Pandemrix have gone on to have normal pregnancies.

What is an adjuvanted vaccine?

An adjuvant is added to vaccines so that a lower dose of the vaccine is needed to produce the same level of protection. The adjuvant enhances the immune response seen following vaccination. The adjuvant used in Pandemrix includes squalene, which is extracted from fish oil and occurs naturally in plants, animals and humans. There is also a small amount of vitamin E (which we all have in our food and in our bodies) and polysorbate 80 (which is found in food and other medicines).

What is thiomersal?

Pandemrix contains thiomersal, which is a preservative that contains a very small amount of mercury. There is no evidence of risk from thiomersal-containing vaccines for pregnant women and their babies.

Can the swine flu vaccine cause flu?

No. The flu vaccine cannot give you flu as it does not contain a live virus. Some people may experience mild flu-like symptoms (like fever, headache and muscle aches) for up to 48 hours after immunisation as their immune system responds to the vaccine, but this is not flu. The vaccine is not live and cannot cause swine flu.

Are there any other side effects?

All vaccinations can produce side effects such as redness, soreness and swelling at the site of the injection. The vast majority of these side effects are not serious. If you think that you or someone you know has experienced a more serious side effect to Pandemrix or Celvapan, please speak to your GP or midwife or report it to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency at www.mhra.gov.uk/swineflu. I’ve already had swine flu.

Do I still need the vaccine?

Most people cannot be certain they have had swine flu unless it was confirmed by laboratory tests. There are several viruses which can cause flu-like symptoms and so, to be sure that we reduce the risk of infection, we are offering vaccination to all people in the priority groups. It is safe to be vaccinated even if you have already had swine flu and taken antivirals.

Who can’t have the swine flu vaccine?

There are very few people who cannot have the swine flu vaccine. The vaccines should not be given to anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine or to any component of the vaccine. If you are worried that this may apply to you, talk to your GP or midwife.

What about people with egg allergies?

The Pandemrix vaccine is prepared in hens’ eggs in the same way that seasonal flu vaccines are. It should not be given to people who have had a confirmed anaphylactic reaction (experiencing shock or difficulty breathing)
after being exposed to egg products. The Celvapan vaccine is not prepared
using eggs, so you should have this vaccine if you have a severe allergy
to eggs.

Who can I talk to if I’m concerned?

Contact your GP, practice nurse or midwife if you have any concerns.

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What should I do now?

You should be invited to go to a vaccination clinic or to make an appointment at your GP surgery. Not everyone in the country will get their vaccine at exactly the same time, so don’t worry if you don’t hear from your GP surgery straightaway. However, if after a few weeks you still haven’t heard anything, get in touch with your GP surgery.

If you are pregnant and think you have swine flu

• In England

  Contact your GP People who are not in higher risk groups should visit www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu or call the National Pandemic Flu Service: 0800 1 513 100 Textphone: 0800 1 513 200 (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing)

• In Scotland

  Contact your GP or NHS24: 08454 24 24 24 Textphone: 18001 08454
  24 24 24 (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing)

• In Wales

  Contact your GP or call NHS Direct Wales: 0845 46 47 Textphone:
  0845 606 46 47 (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing)

• In Northern Ireland

  Contact your GP or the Northern Ireland swine flu helpline: 0800
  0514 142 Textphone: 18001 0800 0514 142 (for people who are deaf or
  hard of hearing) Calling NHS24 should cost no more than the price
  of a local telephone call from a BT landline.

Calls to NHS Direct Wales cost a maximum of 2p per minute
from most BT landlines. Calls to all other numbers here are free from
landlines. Calls from mobiles and other networks may vary – please check
with your provider.

For more information about swine flu and pregnancy Visit www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu