How to Decide if You Should Get the Swine Flu Vaccine

The Swine Flu Vaccine (also known as the H1N1 vaccine) will be available in mid-October. Many people are asking whether they should get vaccinated for Swine Flu. If you are in a high risk category, then yes, you should get the vaccine. If you are not at risk, as with the regular seasonal flu vaccine, you will have to determine for yourself (and with your doctor's input) whether you should go ahead and get the vaccination.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   H1N1 & regular flu are not the same thing

   Know the Difference Between the H1N1 Vaccine and the Flu Vaccine
   
   They are not the same. The H1N1 flu vaccine treats the Swine Flu. The seasonal flu vaccine treats a different strain of influenza.

2. 
    
   Pregnant women are at high risk for swine flu

   Determine if You Are at High Risk for Swine Flu
   
   People in the high risk category for contracting Swine Flu should get the H1N1 Vaccine. Pregnant women, anyone around children under six months of age, children and young adults six months to 24 years old, people with compromised immune systems, and health care providers are at high risk for catching swine flu. The CDC is recommending that anyone in these categories get the H1N1 vaccine. Older adults, over the age of 65 are also in a higher risk category, but they tend not to get as seriously ill if they contract the Swine Flu. Therefore, older adults should consult their doctor to determine whether they should receive the vaccination or not.

3. 
    
   If you are allergic to eggs, don't get the vaccine

   Determine Whether You Should Not Get the Vaccine
   
   If you are allergic to eggs, you should NOT get the Swine Flue vaccine as you could suffer an adverse reaction to the shot. The H1N1 vaccine includes chicken eggs in its production. The spray vaccine contains live virus. Therefore, if you have a compromised immune system, you should not receive the nasal vaccine, but should instead receive the injection as that virus is not active.

4. 
    

   Separate H1N1 Vaccination and Seasonal Flu Vaccination by One Month
   
   If you are receiving the nasal vaccination for both strains of influenza (that is, the vaccine that contains the live virus), the CDC recommends getting vaccinated for the seasonal flu first, waiting a month, then getting the H1N1 vaccine. This makes sense given the fact that seasonal flu vaccines are available now, and H1N1 vaccines are not.

5. 
    

   Know the Risks and Side Effects of H1N1
   
   Side effects are much the same as they are with the seasonal flu vaccine. They include headaches and mild flu-like symptoms including tiredness and muscle aches. Some people will experience pain at the injection site. Some of the risks include a severe allergic reaction and developing Guillain Barre Syndrome.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your doctor whether you should receive the H1N1 Vaccine.
• Talk to your doctor about whether you should receive the Flu Vaccine.
• Discuss the possible side effects and risks associated with both vaccinations before determining whether you should receive the shots.

Resources

• CDC Swine Flu Recommendations