We've all heard that this year's flu season could be more deadly due to the H1N1 virus. In fact, the CDC confirms that flu-related hospitalizations and deaths are already high and rising across the U.S.  Still, many healthy adults wonder if getting a flu shot is necessary. (See: Should I Get a Flu Shot?)

Despite the unsubstantiated dire warnings about the dangers of flu vaccines, my personal view is that everyone, including healthy adults, should get both the regular seasonal and H1N1 flu shots; both my wife and I have gotten flu shots every year.  The reason: 1) the flu kills many thousands in this country every year, and the toll will undoubtedly be even greater this year with the threat of the H1N1 flu, and 2)experience shows that the dangers associated with an attack of the flu are many-fold greater than any risks or side effects of the vaccine.            

Important exceptions

Having said this, however, it's important to consider exceptions for certain groups of people. There are two different types of the H1N1 vaccine and, because I am not an expert in infectious disease, I am uncertain whether immune-compromised patients and pregnant women should receive the vaccine containing an attenuated virus. Similarly, what should be said about people (like my 4 ½-year-old grandson) who have an allergy to the eggs that are part of each of the vaccines? And what if a 7-year-old has some reaction to the first of the two recommended shots of H1N1 vaccine for children of that age. Should he or she have the second shot anyway?

In all of these situations, I cannot blithely recommend that people go to their local pharmacy, for example, and get one of the H1N1 shots. Instead, people in all these categories should  speak to their doctor or an immunologist/allergist about whether to get a shot, and which kind is appropriate for them. Reactions to the flu vaccines are generally mild; local reactions to flu shots may include redness, slight swelling, and tenderness. Some people note headaches, nausea, and muscle aches.

Another possible exception is for older people, especially those who have gotten the regular flu shot each year. With older adults there is a considerable chance of immunity against H1N1 because of the cross-over in the components of regular flu virus with H1N1 virus components. So, older people may want to speak to their doctors about whether they need to get a shot.

Concerns about mercury for pregnant women and children

While flu vaccines do contain a mercury preservative (thimerosal), the CDC advises that there is no evidence that vaccinations with mercury are harmful to a pregnant woman or her fetus in any way. (See the CDC article here.) In addition, it's important for parents to know that vaccines do not cause autism in children -- this is backed by overwhelming evidence in medical research. For more in-depth information, see my previous blog entries: "Don't Skip Your Children's Vaccinations" and "Do Vaccines Cause Autism?"

Protect yourself and others

Bottom line, if you're a healthy adult you still need to consider protecting yourself and others by getting shots for both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus. Failure to get vaccines not only produces risks to those not vaccinated, but also to others who can get the flu from unvaccinated adults, pregnant women, and children.

Visit the CDC website for information on specific groups of people and H1N1 flu advice.