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Contraindications to Swine Flu Shots

With the flu season upon us, the debate over whether to get that flu shot begins anew. If you are in good health, you have a choice of receiving your Swine Flu, H1N1 vaccination via injection or nasal spray. However, some health conditions disqualify you as a candidate for immunization.

  1. Injectable Vaccine Contraindications

    • The flu vaccine delivered via intramuscular injection is Trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV). Contraindications apply to people allergic to chicken eggs or any components of the vaccine and to anyone who had a negative reaction to a previous flu vaccine. You cannot receive TIV in the presence of a fever or any illness with or without a fever, and if you developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome within six weeks after receiving a previous flu shot. TIV is the only vaccine available to you in the presence of nasal congestion, which interferes with the delivery of LAIV (live attenuated influenza vaccine).

    Inhaled Vaccine Contraindications

    • According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 2 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant. LAIV is the nasal spray vaccine known as FluMist. Contraindications for vaccination with LAIV apply to children less than 2 years old and adults 50 years of age and older. LAIV contraindications also apply if you suffer from chronic heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or kidney failure, Guillain-Barré Syndrome developed after receiving a previous flu vaccine, if you have a weakened immune system or if you take medication that compromises your immune system. Others ineligible to receive flu vaccine include children less than 5 years old diagnosed with wheezing, children and adolescents taking aspirin, and people with a severe allergy to chicken eggs or an allergy to any components of FluMist. Children 2 to 4 years old who are asthmatic or suffer from recurrent wheezing cannot receive LAIV, but TIV is available to them.

    Protection for Children

    • According to the CDC, children under 5 years old are more at risk to develop flu-related complications including pneumonia, dehydration, heart disease and asthma. The CDC recommends flu vaccine for children from 6 months to 5 years of age. Children under 9 years old being vaccinated for the first time require two doses during the first year.

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