Swine Flu

[source: British Medical Journal, 21/Oct/09]
Only 12% of Germans say they will have H1N1 vaccine after row blows up over safety of adjuvants. Concerns are growing in Germany about the safety of the swine flu vaccine that will be available to the general population after news was leaked last weekend that top politicians and some government employees will be given an alternative vaccine.
 

Story by Kitty Holland, Irish Times, 4th Sept 2009

THE NEW swine flu vaccine, when it becomes available here in coming weeks, will only be available with a mercury-based preservative included. The same vaccine will be available in the US both with and without the substance - the mercury-free form for pregnant women and young children.

The HSE has confirmed it plans only to acquire the vaccine in doses containing the mercury-based preservative Thimerosal. "The vaccine will be administered to everybody including pregnant women on the basis of informed consent," a HSE spokesman said.