Possible H1N1 Vaccine Deaths: What's in the H1N1 Vaccine?

There are first reports of possible H1N1 vaccine deaths. Fears of side effects of H1N1 vaccine shots have already caused Internet rumors of what's in the H1N1 vaccine. Are these cases of sensationalism or the cold, hard reality of medical odds?

H1N1 Vaccine Deaths Reports from Sweden

Four H1N1 vaccine deaths -- that's swine flu vaccine deaths, for those not in tune with the changes in nomenclature - are said to have befallen patients in Sweden. The Local reports that two elderly patients recently died a few days after receiving the swine flu vaccine. Deaths reported earlier had already causes sufficient stir in the country to prompt a thorough investigation.

The latest reported H1N1 vaccine deaths affected a 74 year old heart and lung disease patient as well as a 90 year old patient with an undisclosed health status. The earlier deaths connected to the swine flu affected a female patient of undisclosed age with a history of muscle disease and a 50 year old man with a heart condition. It is neither proven nor disproven that the deaths are due to the swine flu vaccine.

What's in the H1N1 Vaccine? What are the Stated Side Effects of H1N1 Vaccine?

According to the packaging information, the swine flu vaccine known as Pandemrix contains - among other things - squalene (not in the US), and polysorbate 80. According to the EMEA, infants under the age of six months should not be vaccinated with Pandemrix. Vaccination recommendations of children aged six months to nine years reveal guesswork that includes statements such as "available data suggest" and "may be sufficient." As a matter of fact, there is no data about vaccine impact on children younger than three or between the ages of 10 and 17.

There is a warning that there are contraindications for patients with adverse reactions to eggs, formaldehyde, sodium deoxycholate and a couple of other substances. Moreover, there is no information on potential reactions, should the swine flue vaccine be given to a patient, who previously received -- or within the foreseeable future will receive - another influenza vaccine. There is the possibility that side effects of H1N1 vaccine, or those of the other vaccine, might be heightened.

Give It To Me Straight: What Did Clinical Trials Reveal About the Side Effects of H1N1 Vaccine?

As there are no actual clinical trials of H1N1 with respect to side effects, the European Medicines Agency chose to accept extrapolations from clinical trials using H5N1 vaccines. Out of 5,000 test subjects over the age of 18, common or very common side effects reported were headaches, sweating or shivering, swelling, pain, fever, tiredness, and illnesses mimicking influenza.

Rare of very rare disorders associated with the swine flu vaccine were convulsions and neurological disorders, including Guillain Barré syndrome. The American Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that one patient out of one million vaccinated individuals is at risk for Guillain Barré syndrome; the agency vows vigilance in its monitoring.

H1N1 Vaccine Deaths: Media Hype or Anticipated Side effects of H1N1 Vaccine?

An analysis of the European data supplied by GlaxoSmithKline reveals that there is precious little clinical evidence to indicate any culpability on the part of the swine flu vaccine. Concurrently, there is not evidence to prove a lack of responsibility.

Consumers considering getting the swine flu vaccine are on their own when it comes to weighing the risks over the benefits of the H1N1 vaccine, evaluating what's in the H1N1 vaccine, and wading through numerous stories citing anecdotal and also objective evidence about possible H1N1 vaccine deaths and government conspiracies.

Sources
http://www.thelocal.se/
http://www.emea.europa.eu/
http://www.cdc.gov/