Debunking False Media Claims on the 2009 H1N1 Vaccine

October 14, 2009

Get the facts about the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.

Recently there has been publicity about some in the media representing all different kinds of opinions and viewpoints who are giving out incorrect information out about the flu and seasonal and H1N1 vaccination.

Many health reporters and bloggers around the country, as well as doctors on television, have raised some concerns about non medical folks dispensing inaccurate information that could result in a lot of people getting sick. You can find some of their posts below.  Here at flu.gov, we want to make sure that Americans have the facts about the flu. 

Below we debunk some myths that were recently promoted by TV personality Bill Maher.  Former Senate Majority Leader Dr. Bill Frist, who as a guest on Maher's show, flagged some of these during the program.  We will continue to update you when we get word of more misinformation. Additional flu myths and facts can be found here.

Myth: The flu shot injects “a disease into your arm.”

Fact:  Both the seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu shots are inactivated vaccines that contain killed/inactivated influenza virus. The nasal spray H1N1 vaccine contains a live, but weakened form of the virus that does not cause flu illness.  These vaccinations are the best protection against contracting the seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu.

Myth: Healthy people are not vulnerable to dying from the new 2009 H1N1 virus.

Fact: Both healthy people and people with underlying conditions, such as asthma and diabetes and other chronic diseases, are vulnerable to the 2009 H1N1 flu.  CDC studies have shown that about 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with this 2009 H1N1 virus have had one or more medical conditions previously recognized as placing people at “high risk” of serious seasonal flu-related complications. That leaves 30% of those hospitalized in the previously healthy category. The 2009 H1N1 flu has especially affected young people ages 5 to 24.  A recent study of by the New England Journal of Medicine of 272 hospitalized H1N1 patients showed that although 60% of the children who were hospitalized had an underlying condition, the remaining 40 percent had no underlying condition. Since April, 81 children who contracted 2009 H1N1 flu have died.

Myth: Pregnant women should not get the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine.

Fact:  Pregnant women, even ones who are healthy, are at risk from medical complications from the seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu.  The CDC study of 1,400 adults who were hospitalized with 2009 H1N1 flu showed that 6 percent were pregnant.  Click here for more information on pregnant women and the flu.

News Organizations Debunk Maher’s Myths About 2009 H1N1 Flu

Bill Maher vs. the Flu Vaccine , New York Times, 10/13/09

More nonexpert opinions on the swine flu vaccine , LA Times, 10/13/09

Bill Maher schooled by… Bill Frist?? , Discover Magazine, 10/13/09

Bill Maher is wrong about swine flu , Huffington Post, 10/13/09