H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Ingredients

The H1N1 vaccine Arepanrix has been developed by GlaxoSmithKline using the egg-based production method. This means the vaccine viruses are grown in eggs. This is true for the regular flu shot as well. (For egg allergies, see: H1N1 and Food Allergies.)

The vaccine has two components that are mixed together before the vaccine is given. The primary substance is the antigen drug substance for immunizing. It is administered with an adjuvant known as AS03.

The antigen contains: thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative used in the manufacturing of multidose vaccines, sodium chloride, disodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium chloride and water. As mentioned, there are traces of egg protein, and also of formaldehyde, sodium deoxycholate and sucrose.

The adjuvant AS03 is composed of: DL-alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), squalene (shark liver oil) and polysorbate 80 (an emulsifier). In addition, its vial contains: sodium chloride, disodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium chloride and water. Read More.. http://www.allergicliving.com/features.asp?copy_id=308

Q. Are there other allergy concerns with the vaccine?
A. The vaccine adjuvant (called AS03) contains two ingredients that have been of some concern to people with allergies. (See: Vaccine Ingredients) The first is squalene, derived from shark liver oil. Both Dr. Richard Warrington, president of the CSACI, and a representative from GlaxoSmithKline, the makers of the vaccine, confirm there is NO risk to people with fish allergy.

Squalene is a fat, and it is protein that causes allergic reaction. Furthermore, the squalene is highly purified and any protein traces will have been removed. Dr. Warrington also adds that the antibodies found in fish allergic subjects show very limited cross-reactivity with shark protein.

The second ingredient that has raised concern is tocopherol (vitamin E) which is sometimes derived from soybean oil. A representative from GlaxoSmithKline confirms that the tocopherol in the adjuvant is not derived from soybean oil. Read More http://www.allergicliving.com/features.asp?copy_id=307