Who should take the H1N1 vaccine?

The swine flu is about to strike. At the same time, countless people line up for a chance to take the H1N1 vaccine. But do they really need to? What is the problem with the swine flu and who should take the vaccine?

H1N1 is a new strain of virus against which our body has never fought and, thus, has no defenses. This means that the likelihood of serious complications is greater, especially in young people. This is what makes it different from the common flu.

The vaccine was developed using the same technology used to develop a new vaccine for the flu every year. It is as safe as the standard flu vaccine, though with so many people wanting a shot it has quickly shown to be less available.

Most people infected with the swine flu will have no complications at all and need no hospitalization. However, certain groups of people are at increased risk of developing serious complications, and those groups should be the first to take the vaccine.

Children and pregnant women are the first in line. Children have an immature defense system and are the least likely to have ever fought the virus, thus they are the least prepared. Pregnant women not only have a depressed immune system, but they carry the responsibility of two lives instead of one. And because the virus spreads so easily, people who live or work with either of these groups are also recommended to take the vaccine, in order to protect them.

Health care professionals are also recommend to take the vaccine. This is not only to protect themselves (as they will be more exposed to infected people) but, most importantly, to protect their patients.

Finally, young people with chronic conditions, especially mental and respiratory diseases, should also take the vaccine. This is because they already have less defenses or a weakened respiratory track and because they are least likely to prevent or identify the disease in time.

If you belong to any of these groups, then you should take the vaccine. If not, you can wait until supplies are more readily available, because you are very unlikely to suffer any problem resulting from the flu. And if you already had the swine flu, there is no need for the vaccine at all.

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