FLU SHOT INFORMATION

I got my regular seasonal flu shot today, and a friend asked me why I didn't wait to get the H1N1 shot. The reason is that they're two different shots, but this is something that I haven't really heard clarified in the news.

The regular seasonal flu shot is available now. It does not protect against pandemic H1N1 (the swine flu).

The pandemic H1N1 flu shot is not yet available, and when it is it won't protect against the regular seasonal varieties.

So for the most comprehensive flu protection you need both shots. Since the flu shot normally takes two weeks to provide immunity and lasts up to a year, there's no reason to wait to get your seasonal shot.