Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC stated, "Almost all of the reports that have come into our vaccine adverse event report system, or VAERS, about 94 percent of those reports are classified as not serious. The vaccine data so far really suggests this is a safe vaccine."
The U.S. government has been tracking the safety of the A/H1N1 flu vaccine since October, when inoculation process began. Since then, nearly 22 million Americans have been administered the shots.
Minor side effects of swine flu vaccine
The H1N1 vaccine's side effects are currently being reported as minimal, as it has generated some mild but common reactions. Around 3,200 incidents of side effects have surfaced.
The most commonly reported side effects include getting a sore arm from the shot. This is sometimes accompanied by redness, swelling, and pain at the injection site.
In addition, after vaccination, some people have experienced a headache, body aches, lethargy and nausea, while some may even run a low fever. However, the health authorities reassure that these are typical side effects related with all seasonal influenza vaccinations.
"Everything that we've reviewed is extremely reassuring. The number, pattern and types of adverse event reports that we are getting are pretty much what we see for seasonal flu vaccines," said Schuchat.
Some serious effects of the vaccination
Vaccines are also known to trigger rare but serious reactions sometimes among people with no apparent allergies or sensitivities. Officials are keeping a close eye on reports of a rare paralyzing condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS).
They are a little skeptical because the ailment had emerged during a swine flu vaccination campaign in 1976 in large numbers, leading to the cancellation of the program.
To date, around 10 cases of GBS have come to light in those vaccinated for H1N1 since early October and some of the cases are still under investigation.
SChuchat disclosed, "We have three different systems that we're looking to understand whether Guillain-Barre Syndrome is occurring in any kind of excess amount with the H1N1 vaccine. In a thorough review of these three systems so far, we don't see any problems at all."
She further said that GBS is a nerve disease that strikes nearly 80-160 people in the nation every week. This condition has been associated with surgery and immunizations. People who have been afflicted with GBS in the past are at a higher risk of contracting it again, and are warned against immunization of the virus.
According to the CDC, no vaccine is 100 percent safe for everyone, however, the overall safety of the vaccine is evident and they have a great deal of confidence in it.
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