Are the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccines safe?
The 2009 H1N1 vaccines have undergone all the safety testing and quality checks that are usually done for other vaccines. We expect the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine to have a similar safety profile as seasonal flu vaccines, which have a very good safety track record. Over the years, hundreds of millions of Americans have received seasonal flu vaccines. The most common side effects following flu vaccinations are mild, such as soreness, redness, tenderness, or swelling where the shot was given. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be closely monitoring for any signs that the 2009 H1N1 vaccine is causing unexpected adverse events, and we will work with state and local health officials to investigate any unusual events.
