Official figures show that more and more people are taking up the opportunity to have the flu vaccine, but is it safe?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), influenza is caused by many viruses. The job at WHO is to identify the particular strains that are the biggest threat. This year H1N1, H3N2, and B are the three types that need our undivided attention. Those who should get the shot are in high-risk categories, including everyone over the age of 65, anyone over six months with heart, lung, kidney or liver disease, diabetes, neurological conditions, all pregnant women, people in residential homes, and those who care for the elderly or disabled. Overall, the message is that we do not need the flu vaccine unless we are in the high-risk group. According to the Department of health, “In the US, it has been routine for some years to give pregnant women a seasonal flu shot and we were already deciding whether pregnant women should be vaccinated before the swine flu pandemic.” This means that all pregnant women should have the vaccine. If a woman that is pregnant gets the swine flu (H1N1) she has an increased risk of dying. The shot is also believed to protect the fetus.

I am a public health major, and decided last year not to get the flu vaccine for this very reason. I am not in the high-risk category and did not need the vaccine. I feel there is so much anxiety and tension going on that we feel we need to get the shot even if we are not in the high risk category. We all need to realize that the flu vaccine is not like candy. We need to take it seriously.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/sep/19/dr-dillner-dilemma-flu-vaccine