One more time...

Sorry to keep bugging you about this, but I think it's important! If you haven't already, you should get your seasonal flu vaccine (available at most local pharmacies.) And when the H1N1 vaccine becomes available you should get that too (hopefully in the next month or so). If you're one of those people who claims that they "don't usually get the flu," please realize that H1N1 is in pandemic status, which means that it's spreading far and wide all over the world. So far, more than 1 million Americans have caught it (according to the article below) and we've only just begun the actual flu season which will increase spread. Therefore, odds are you will be in contact with it at some point... and most likely get it.

Not only will these vaccines keep you from getting the flu (which will keep you from feeling like crap for a few weeks), but as a result it will also keep you from spreading the flu to other people who may be at higher risk for more serious disease. Do it to protect yourself, do it to protect others!

Here is an article (by Paul Offit) concerning myths about the H1N1 vaccine that are floating around the media and the "science news cycle." In short, the H1N1 vaccine:

• was made in the same way as the seasonal vaccine. This process has been used for 60+ years.
• was tested for efficacy and safety in thousands of trial participants before being licensed by the FDA.
• does not contain adjuvants.
• preservatives are included in low levels and have not been linked to other health issues.

And if you don't believe Dr. Offit (chief of infectious diseases division at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia), here's another article by Dr. Racaniello, a leading virologist at Columbia.

Ok, I'll stop now. :)

PSA: Flu vaccines, go get 'em.

There will be 2 flu vaccines this year: a trivalent one with the 3 current seasonal strains, and a monovalent with the pandemic H1N1.

Reasons from the CDC for not putting these two together can be found here.

I suggest you get both vaccines, if possible. Odds are you won't die from H1N1 (at least not if it continues to follow current trends), but you'll save yourself a couple of weeks of feeling like you've been hit with a Mack truck full of mucus and give your body immunity.

If you're an IU student/staff/faculty, they'll be giving the seasonal vaccine at the health center and at various locations (e.g. the library) all over campus beginning in the next month or so. I think it will be a little longer before the pandemic H1N1 vaccine is available at all and/or to the general public (higher risk populations will get it first.)

And if you're scared of needles, I'll even come with you and hold your hand. :)