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Step 1
Take a deep breath and calm down to clear thoughts. Clear thinking is what is needed for the decision and sometimes news reports can cause feelings of panic or be upsetting resulting in clouded thinking. Worries about not being able to get a vaccine or mercury in the vaccine may lead to making an emotional decision instead of one based on fact. It’s time to consider all possibilities as objectively as possible and staying calm will be helpful in coming to a reasonable decision.
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Step 2
Keep researching, reading, and listening to the reports. Sensible information is available despite upsetting rumors.
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Step 3
Sift through the reports of sensationalism and focus on those of fact.
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Step 4
Check the websites of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), The World Health Organization (WHO), and the National Vaccine Information Center about the H1N1 vaccine. Friends, family, your child’s doctor and school, and Public Health Services may also have new information, so keep checking with them as well.
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Step 5
Decide what is best for your child considering information from your child’s health care provider, school, research, family, and friends. What some children are sensitive to may not be what your child is sensitive to. Considering your child’s health and life-style, make an informed non-pressured decision to get or not to get the H1N1 vaccine for your child.
