Doctors debate H1N1 vaccine

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FDA-approved H1N1 vaccine will be manufactured in several formulations, including multi-dose vials (to be administered on two occasions, four weeks apart) that will contain thimerosal and single-dose units, which will not require the preservative.

In addition, the live-attenuated version of the vaccine (one that contains bacteria or viruses that have been altered so they can’t cause disease), administered intranasally, will be produced in single units that do not contain thimerosal.

Doctor defends vaccine

Dr. Thomas Bent of the Laguna Beach Community Clinic, who is also president of the California Academy of Family Physicians, and Perry Sheidayi of the Sleep Hollow Clinic, not only condone administering the vaccine to all high risk groups, but are pushing for it.

Bent, who said his clinic is pre-registered for the vaccine as soon as it is available, said people who do not get vaccinated are more at risk of getting sick.

“The mercury levels are not dangerous, and you cannot get the H1N1 flu from the vaccine,” he said.

“In my studies, I’ve found that the mercury levels in multi-dose vaccines are the same as in a tuna sandwich, so if you’ve had the Ahi tuna at the Lumberyard, you’re equally at risk.”

Children 9 and younger are advised to get a multi-dose vaccination, administered four weeks apart, while those 10 and older should get a single-dose.

The H1N1 vaccine, he said, should be taken in addition to the regular flu shot, as two do not “cross over.”

Sheidayi, who has seen a “rare” three to four flu cases during summer months, said the clinic expects that number to increase to four or five per day during the “flu season.”

She also said that more than 90% of current flu cases, while not tested, are estimated to be the H1N1 influenza.

“There is a bigger risk in not getting this vaccine, than in getting it,” she said.

Target groups who should get vaccinated, according to the CDC, include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months, health-care and emergency services personnel, people between ages 6 months and 24 years, and those between 25 and 64 who have chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.