Vaccines Protect the Whole Community

The decision to get vaccinated against a disease such as H1N1 is a personal one. I've noticed this reflected in the way people talk about the decision -- whether they are in the higher risk groups, whether they mind being ill etc.

Yet it is worth bearing in mind that your decision whether or not to get vaccinated may affect many more people than just you. You are also affecting everyone you could potentially pass the virus on to. And with people being contagious both before symptoms appear and after they disappear, there is a high likelihood that you will pass it on to many others without realizing it if you are not vaccinated. Lifestyles associated with drug and sex addictions also increase risk of transmission.

So if you aren't sure whether you will come into contact with a young child, someone with a neurological disorder, a pregnant woman, or anyone else at risk of becoming seriously ill as a result of H1N1, I would encourage you to think seriously about having the shot.

Need to know more before making the decision? About.com has a wealth of information on the H1N1 vaccine, including what we know about the vaccine, people at risk of complications, safety of the vaccine, common concerns about the vaccine, the relationship with pneumonia, and frequently asked questions.