HHS HealthBeat (October 27, 2009)

Getting the flu vaccinations

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Getting a case of the flu is bad enough. But this is an unusual year because you can get double flu. In addition to seasonal flu, there’s 2009 H1N1.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius spoke about that at a news conference:

[Secretary Kathleen Sebelius speaks] "Even though H1N1 has been getting a lot of the top-line publicity, it’s important to not lose sight of the fact that seasonal flu takes its toll year in and year out."

A vaccine for 2009 H1N1 is out although it isn’t available for everyone yet, but the vaccine for seasonal flu is more widely available. So health officials advise people to get their seasonal flu vaccination now, and to check and get the 2009 H1N1 when it’s ready for them.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: May 7, 2011