SOGC fact sheet: Adjuvant Versus Non-Adjuvant H1N1 Vaccine for Pregnant Women
The purpose of this fact sheet is to clarify the difference between an adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted vaccine and whether or not pregnant women should receive one or the other.
While it is the first time an adjuvant is being used in an influenza vaccine, these adjuvants have been used in other vaccines for decades.
All countries are stating that both types of vaccine are safe.
After discussion with the Public Health Agency of Canada, and based on the evidence for other adjuvanted vaccines as well as experience around the world to date with the adjuvanted H1N1 vaccine, Canadian experts say that both the adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted H1N1 vaccines are safe for pregnant women.
| Therefore, pregnant women should be offered the choice to receive an adjuvanted or non-adjuvanted vaccine based on the following considerations, not safety concerns.
Considerations for Pregnant Women
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Adjuvant H1N1 Vaccine
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Non-Adjuvant H1N1 Vaccine
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Amount of viral inoculate required to protect an individual
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Lower dose (4 times less viral material than the non-adjuvanted vaccine)
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Higher dose (4 times more viral material than the adjuvanted vaccine)
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Number of doses required to achieve immunity
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1 | 1 |
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Cross-protection against mutations of the virus
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Possible | None |
For pregnant women over 20 weeks gestation
If you have a chronic health condition (diabetes, asthma, hypertension, etc.), get vaccinated against H1N1 as soon as a vaccine (adjuvanted or non-adjuvanted) is available.
If you reside in an area where H1N1 flu rates are high or increasing, get vaccinated against H1N1 as soon as a vaccine (adjuvanted or non-adjuvanted) is available.
For more information from the SOGC regarding H1N1 and pregnancy, please click here.
The Public Health Agency of Canada offers a similar look at the risks and benefits of the vaccine. To see this article, please click here.
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