Concerns over the vaccine

Dec 15 2009 Swine Flu

Q. Does the swine flu vaccine contain pork as I am vegetarian?

A. The Pandemrix vaccine doesn’t contain pork products. Although there are no traces of pork products in the Celvapan vaccine, some pork products are used in the manufacturing process.

Q. I’m pregnant and have been advised to get the swine flu vaccine. I feel perfectly healthy. Why should I have the vaccine?

A. There is evidence that shows that pregnant women are more likely to be admitted to hospital with flu-related illnesses. This risk increases the further along with the pregnancy you are. Women who are in the last three months of their pregnancy are particularly at risk. Pregnant women are ten times more likely to need treatment in an intensive care unit compared with other people.