The most common side effects for the swine flu vaccination are as follows:

• Soreness at the site of the injection (most commonly on the arm)
• Aching muscles
• Fever
• Feeling ‘off’, minor flu-like feeling
• In children, there may be headaches or chills

These are the same side effects one might get from any flu vaccination and should be nothing to worry about. They almost always only last one or two days. If you have any true concerns, speak to your doctor about it; and ask about any painkillers to take if any soreness or aching muscles bothers you. Most likely, it will be recommended that you take painkillers and have some rest.  Children may find Children’s Tylenol to be soothing for example. However, always check with your doctor to find out exactly what you can take for any discomfort.

Even these minor side effects are uncommon, about the same rate as with any influenza vaccination.  They are certainly no reason to not go in for the vaccination if you think you might be at risk, if you have young children, are pregnant (second to third trimester) or elderly.

The swine flu vaccination is still in the works and is expected to take anywhere from another two to four months to mass produce safely.  However, getting it when it is available as soon as possible will give the medicine the time it needs to work before flu season hits in force, and in the case of swine flu, in preparation for another outbreak, should one occur.

The most serious side effects are as follows:

• Allergic reactions, ranging from hives to a rare condition called Guillain-Barre Syndrome which causes nerve damage, muscle weakness and fever.  The 1976 Swine Flu vaccination had a few cases of GBS; however, these were at a rate of about one in one million.
• Death from a severe allergic reaction.

However, it must be underscored that these conditions are very rare and should not deter you from exploring the swine flu and other flu vaccinations.

The following people should not have the flu vaccination and have to explore other means of protecting themselves from the swine flu and other influenza:

• If you are allergic to eggs, then the risk of contracting an allergic reaction to swine flu vaccinations and other vaccinations rises dramatically, so it’s best to avoid the risk altogether.  This is because egg proteins are used as part of the vaccination.
• If you have shown hypersensitivity to other vaccinations
• If you have contracted HBS from a prior vaccination in the last six months
• If you have a fever or are sick from something other than a cold or other minor illness such as die rhea or earaches, then your immunization should be postponed.

A full swine flu vaccination is still in the works and is expected to join the flu vaccination rotation in the fall; however, it is still best to know the facts about possible side effects as early as possible so you may make the best decision possible about this vaccination.