Its that time of year to roll up your sleeve for the annual flu shot. Drug
stores across the Las Vegas valley started giving out the seasonal flu shot
Tuesday. But with a vaccine for the H1N1 virus on the way, should you get both?
Doctors encourage people to get a vaccine for the flu and H1N1. Health experts
say until the swine flu vaccine is ready in mid-October, you should get the
seasonal flu shot out of the way.
"I've had a lot of medical conditions and the flu shot is one thing I want to
take care of right away," said Lance Fairbanks.
Land and his wife wasted no time. They took the first available shot at fighting
off the regular flu.
But what about H1N1? "I have no concerns about getting a second vaccination for
the H1N1. I think an ounce of prevention is worth whatever the concern is," said
William Tullock.
And UMC doctor Dennis Fuller agrees. He says the seasonal flu shot will not
protect you against the swine flu. "They are safe. You should get all of them.
We are probably looking at three shots total this year. The swine flu is two
shots about three weeks apart. But yes, you should get the seasonal flu like any
other year," he said.
Doctors usually urge the elderly and people will chronic diseases to get the
seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible. But with H1N1, doctors want pregnant
women and those who care for children to go first. "Younger adults are being
more affected by this. There are deaths in the young adults. Because we are
thinking that the older adults may have gotten some virus in the past," said
Matthew Wiese.
But some people, like Janice Kellogg, say they aren't taking any chances. She
says the seasonal flu shot keeps her healthy very year. So if a little pinch
protects her against H1N1, Kellogg says she'll roll up her sleeve again.
The Center for Disease Control says they are testing the H1N1 vaccine in humans
right now. Doctors say it is safe and should have the same side effects as the
regular flu shot.
Source : Las Vegas Now
