Swine Flu Vaccine, Should You Get This Second Vaccine?

Swine flu vaccine is finally hitting health departments near you. The CDC advises that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza related morbidity and mortality. The seasonal flu vaccine was available in many states beginning in early September and was well received. If you got the seasonal flu vaccine, do you need the Swine flu vaccine?
Every year, a decision is made by expert flu virus trackers, which influenza antibodies to vaccinate against in the upcoming flu season. These vaccines are developed with mass production and mass administration in mind. There are segments of the population who routinely seek out flu vaccination-and those who do not. If the predictors hit it right, the flu season is significantly diminished by the vaccine. Beginning in 2006, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, (ACIP), first recommended children 6 months to 23 months join the ranks of those who should be vaccinated. Interestingly, this is one of the groups most likely to get this flu and end up in an ICU.
With the Swine flu vaccine now out, people are asking if they should be getting it. They got the seasonal shot a month ago. Do they need this second shot? The CDC researched this question back in May of this year and published its report in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) dated May 22, 2009. They found that before vaccination, no immunity to this novel strain of H1N1 existed in children. However, in adults aged greater than 60, 33% showed some immunity to this H1N1 strain. It is assumed this immunity is due either to previous vaccinations or infection.
For all ages, the best protection from the Swine flu, H1N1, which is circulating in epidemic proportions this flu season, is to get vaccinated with the specific H1N1 vaccine. The youngsters among us have little preexisting immunity to this novel strain of Swine flu and the seasonal vaccine will not help fight that infection.