Flu Season #4- H1N1

H1N1, H1N1, H1N1- it seems like that is all we see in the news these days!

As of today, 1,028,000 doses of the vaccine have been shipped out to New York State.

There has been a ton of controversy and misinformation about the safety of this vaccine, whether it's necessary and how many shots you need to be protected.

Safety
The vaccine is safe. Repeat. The vaccine is safe. The H1N1 vaccine is the same flu vaccine we've been using each year, just named for the specific virus that is circulating.

Who Should Be Vaccinated?
This is taken directly from the CDC website:

1) Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;

2) Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age


3) Healthcare and emergency medical services
* we need you to be healthy to help care for those who are sick!
* we need you to not spread the virus to those who might be more susceptible to illness

4) All people from 6 months through 24 years of age

5) Young adults 19 through 24 and

6) Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.