What exactly is in a flu shot vaccine? Is formaldehyde one of the ingredients?
By admin on Jul 1, 2009 in Infectious Diseases
elliottswife asked:
I got my flu shot last Friday (so tomorrow makes a week), and my arm is still bothering me. It was sore that evening and the next day. Now it’s almost like it’s throbbing and weak. I feel like I can’t lift with that arm. I’m allergic to formaldehyde, and I heard that it might be one of the preservatives used in the vaccine. I can’t believe that it’s still bothering me and a week has passed. I will call the doctor in the morning.
I got my flu shot last Friday (so tomorrow makes a week), and my arm is still bothering me. It was sore that evening and the next day. Now it’s almost like it’s throbbing and weak. I feel like I can’t lift with that arm. I’m allergic to formaldehyde, and I heard that it might be one of the preservatives used in the vaccine. I can’t believe that it’s still bothering me and a week has passed. I will call the doctor in the morning.
On Jul 2, 2009, Debbie A said:
Your symtoms are fairly rare. Some people do react to the vaccine in the same way that you did. There is no formaldehyde in vaccines at all ever. Formaldehyde is not in any commercial products anymore and its use is closely regulated by state agencies (since they found out that it is carcinogenic). Vaccines are collections of many strains of killed flu viruses or parts of the viruses (all dead). Sometimes people will react to a vaccine with a fever. Yes I think it might be a good idea to see your doctor, but I remember getting a tetnus shot and the same exact thing happened (went away in a week).
On Jul 2, 2009, Big K said:
Depending on the vaccine there will be antigens HA and NA purified from the virus. The virus is grown in eggs (likely source of any allergic reaction if any at all). Formaldehyde is used to inactivate the virus and is removed by purification it can also be neutralized with sodium bisulfite if there is residual formaldehyde. Very uncommon to hurt beyone three days so if it is swelling you should see the MD