On the 5th day of National Influenza Vaccination Week, the focus is on vaccinating young adults - specifically those aged 19 to 24 - against H1N1 (swine flu). 
Seasonal flu typically does not hit people in this age group very hard so many young adults may not even think about getting a flu shot.
However, H1N1 has affected young adults in much greater numbers and with more severity than the typical flu does. It is more important than ever for people in this age group to get the H1N1 vaccine to protect themselves and their friends and family.
Researchers believe that one of the reasons the virus may be spreading so easily in this age group is because young people tend to spend a lot of time in groups - whether it is hanging out with friends, living in college dorms, sitting in classrooms or hours spent at work - there is a lot of opportunity for the virus to infect people. It is also believed that older adults may have at least partial immunity to the 2009 H1N1 virus because it is similar to a strain of flu that circulated decades ago. Unfortunately, this means that younger adults have no immunity to it.
So even if you are healthy, if you fall into this age group, consider getting the H1N1 vaccine this year to protect yourself - and those around you.
Day 5 of National Influenza Vaccination Week originally appeared on About.com Cold & Flu on Thursday, January 14th, 2010 at 07:00:30.
As we head into another flu season, it's important to remember that we're not out of the woods yet with H1N1 swine flu. The virus continues to rear its ugly head as the world awaits a vaccine. There still is no definite release date, but the vaccine is expected to be available sometime this month. When it is available, people with cystic fibrosis and their family members should get the H1N1 flu shot in addition to the regular seasonal flu shot. You should be able to get the vaccine at your CF care center or local health department. You can also visit the American Lung Association's flu clinic locator to search for a vaccine site near you.
H1N1 Vaccine Expected to be Available This Month originally appeared on About.com Cystic Fibrosis on Sunday, October 4th, 2009 at 20:57:55.
The CDC is estimating that nearly 60 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine have been administered in the United States. Unfortunately, officials have said that millions more need to get the vaccine to provide adequate protection against the 21st century's first flu pandemic.
I know many people were hesitant to get it when it first came out and with the recent recalls of some pediatric doses, some of those fears have been reignited. Personally, I am more concerned about my youngest son getting the virus because he is at high risk for complications, so we have all had the vaccine. My kids will have to go back to get their booster dose in a few weeks.
I do realize that not everyone feels the way I do about the vaccine. When I took a poll earlier in the flu season, a majority of people were not planning to get it. I am curious to see if that has changed. Have you or your family had the vaccine?
Have You Had the H1N1 Vaccine? originally appeared on About.com Cold & Flu on Saturday, December 26th, 2009 at 06:31:17.
The H1N1 virus is still in the news, as more and more cases pop up all over the country. Being 9 months pregnant, as well as a trauma hospital employee, I am on the CDC's target candidate list for the H1N1 vaccine. There are lots of people on the list, in addition to pregnant women and health care employees. They include children, seniors and people with chronic conditions.
This means you: if you have a chronic pain condition, washing your hands may not be good enough. The vaccine is becoming more and more readily available. In fact, on my way home from the doctor today, I passed two walk-in clinics that were offering H1N1 vaccines. It's out there. Why not get it?
Keep in mind that the H1N1 vaccine is for 2009 H1N1: the seasonal flu shot protects against swine flu, but not this year's swine flu. A seasonal shot alone, while enough to stave off an ordinary flu infection, is not enough to protect you against H1N1.
Has anyone out there besides me gotten the H1N1 shot? Do you plan to?
Gotten Your H1N1 Vaccine? originally appeared on About.com Chronic Pain on Friday, December 18th, 2009 at 08:38:12.
