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Deciding Whether to Get the Swine Flu Vaccine

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With the reemergence of Swine Flu, this flu season promises to be severe. Experts are predicting that swine flu symptoms will increase as we enter cooler months possibly causing a flu pandemic. An H1NI Swine Flu vaccine has been developed to help immunize the population against this highly contagious disease. But there is a lot of controversy surrounding the vaccine as well as confusion between the injectable vaccine versus the nasal vaccine. Here are some things to consider as you determine whether you should get the swine flue vaccine shot. If you fall into any of the following categories you should get the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine.

If you are pregnant or are thinking of getting pregnant within the next year you should get the swine flu vaccination. Note that the Centers for Disease Control emphasizes that pregnant women are more seriously affected by the disease than the rest of the population so vaccination is critical. Pregnant women should get the injection form of the vaccine as it is a dead form of the virus. They are advised not to take the nasal spray version of the vaccine as this form contains an active form of the virus.
If you live with an infant younger than 6 months, or if you will be the caregiver of a child of this age, you should get the swine flu vaccination.
If you will be a health care worker or be in a hospital setting frequently, you should get the swine flu vaccination. In fact, in many medical settings it is mandatory that you receive the vaccine as part of your employment.
If your children are between the following ages: 6 months to 24 years old then they should receive the swine flu vaccination.
If you are an adult with underlying health problems such as diabetes or lung disease, get the swine flu vaccination.
Elderly people are also strongly advised to get the vaccine as they are more susceptible to the virus and tend to have greater complications if they do contract the H1N1 virus.

Although the Swine flu is a fast spreading virus the extent of which we have not seen in a long time, there are ways to control it and even prevent it in the first place. Vaccinations play an important role in protecting the health of all individuals. For more information on the swine flu ( H1N1 ) or to get the most recent vaccination recommendations, go the Centers for Disease Control website at: www.cdc.gov.