You Should Still Get Vaccinated for H1N1

At the risk of sounding like your mother, if you haven’t been vaccinated for the H1N1 virus, you still need to do it. I know that in January there were reports that the flu peaked and the danger of getting sick was fading away. Plus, the media coverage went down, plus you’re young, plus it costs money, plus you don’t have time. Well, you don’t have time to be sick either.  From the CDC website:

During the 1957-58 pandemic, flu activity dropped in December and January. Public health officials assumed the worst was over, and stopped encouraging people to get vaccinated. Then flu activity increased abruptly in February and March, and hospitalizations and deaths increased as well.

That was an important lesson—even if flu activity dies down in January, as it has this year, the season is not over. It’s still important to get vaccinated against the flu and be as prepared as possible if activity increases again this season.

You can find a place to get vaccinated here. If you are in school, check out your school clinic. Many colleges are offering free vaccinations. And while you’re out there getting vaccinated, don’t forget to bring a sweater. Also, would it kill you to come home at a decent hour once in awhile?