Make sure you get the right swine flu vaccine
SEATTLE -- We've heard the warnings: protect yourself and get a swine flu shot. But for pregnant women and children, it's not that simple.
There are four swine flu vaccines. Two of them are made with thimerosal, a mercury-based compound that helps preserve the vaccine.
But, Washington law says it's illegal to give more than 1 microgram of thimerosal in vaccine to pregnant women and children three and under. And these new doses contain 25 micrograms.
Lisa Nicon's twins get their 24 month check up next month and she planned on a swine flu vaccine shot for both, but not if its got thimerosal.
But Betsy Hubbard, an immunization specialist for Seattle-King County Public Health, says there's no reason to worry.
"They will be able to have a thimerosal free option," she said.
Providers should know the law and administer the right vaccine. But even if you get the wrong vaccine, Hubbard says she doesn't believe it will harm you.
"There is no indication that thimerosal is a danger," Hubbard said.
The Center for Disease Control told us the single dose vials of swine flu and the nasal spray are preservative free. It's the multi-dose vials that are made with thimerosal.
But why haven't you heard about the preservative-free doses? Hubbard says it's because the swine flu is new, and the FDA approved the vaccine for use just Tuesday.
The county says it will have plenty of vaccine for everyone, but, "it's a repeated message to our providers: Don't forget to order the preservative-free vaccine for your patients who are pregnant and children under the age of three," Hubbard said.
Josie Gahan, with two toddlers and one on the way is counting on it.
"I'm hoping they'll know the information about the thimerosal and they'll be able to get doses for us," she said.
The vaccine will be ready by mid-October at the latest. The Washington State Department of Health says the state is expecting about 1 million vials of swine flu vaccine, but at this point have no idea what percentage will be preservative free.
"We'll eventually have enough vaccine for everybody who wants it," said Tim Church, a spokesman for the State Health Department.
Church says the state will continue to "aggressively communicate with healthcare providers" to make sure they know the facts, especially about the preservative-free vials.
There are four swine flu vaccines. Two of them are made with thimerosal, a mercury-based compound that helps preserve the vaccine.
But, Washington law says it's illegal to give more than 1 microgram of thimerosal in vaccine to pregnant women and children three and under. And these new doses contain 25 micrograms.
Lisa Nicon's twins get their 24 month check up next month and she planned on a swine flu vaccine shot for both, but not if its got thimerosal.
But Betsy Hubbard, an immunization specialist for Seattle-King County Public Health, says there's no reason to worry.
"They will be able to have a thimerosal free option," she said.
Providers should know the law and administer the right vaccine. But even if you get the wrong vaccine, Hubbard says she doesn't believe it will harm you.
"There is no indication that thimerosal is a danger," Hubbard said.
The Center for Disease Control told us the single dose vials of swine flu and the nasal spray are preservative free. It's the multi-dose vials that are made with thimerosal.
But why haven't you heard about the preservative-free doses? Hubbard says it's because the swine flu is new, and the FDA approved the vaccine for use just Tuesday.
The county says it will have plenty of vaccine for everyone, but, "it's a repeated message to our providers: Don't forget to order the preservative-free vaccine for your patients who are pregnant and children under the age of three," Hubbard said.
Josie Gahan, with two toddlers and one on the way is counting on it.
"I'm hoping they'll know the information about the thimerosal and they'll be able to get doses for us," she said.
The vaccine will be ready by mid-October at the latest. The Washington State Department of Health says the state is expecting about 1 million vials of swine flu vaccine, but at this point have no idea what percentage will be preservative free.
"We'll eventually have enough vaccine for everybody who wants it," said Tim Church, a spokesman for the State Health Department.
Church says the state will continue to "aggressively communicate with healthcare providers" to make sure they know the facts, especially about the preservative-free vials.