People remember how H1N1, commonly called Swine Flu, hit around 18 countries around the globe in 2009.
Hundreds of people became very sick.
It especially affected those people who have existing health conditions.
It was why some schools and business establishments were temporarily closed due to fear of catching the highly communicable influenza virus.
Travel overseas was even temporarily banned to avoid the flu from spreading out to other countries.
To avoid this from happening again, a vaccine was formulated by four leading drugmakers.
Sanofi-Aventis SA, CSL Ltd, Medimmune and Novartis AG were given clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration.
GlaxoSmithKline Plc is also helping develop the H1N1 vaccine.
These 5 drug manufacturing companies are willing to provide more than enough supply of vaccines for millions of people.
Although the vaccine is really intended to help resolve the H1N1 issue, people just can't help but be doubtful.
They think the vaccine isn't safe enough.
These people can't be blamed.
Their life is at stake.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is strongly encouraging people to get the new H1N1 shot.
A recent campaign was done in order to increase people's level of awareness regarding the availability of the vaccine.
The vaccine comes in two forms.
One is through intranasal and the other one is through injection.
It is mostly aimed at those people who are within the high risk bracket.
People within the high risk bracket are those with present health conditions, pregnant women, kids and elderly people.
Generally, these people have a low immune system.
It makes them very susceptible to the influenza virus.
One of the specific reasons why there are people against the vaccine is because of its mercury component.
Exposure to mercury is believed to cause mental defects to an unborn child or an infant.
But people from CDC strongly deny this misleading information which is being tossed around.
First of all, it was able to pass the quality standards of the Food and Drug Administration.
This rule out the possibility of the flu shot to be unsafe.
Also, they firmly believe on the safety of the vaccine based from past records.
Basically, it was made on the basis of how past flu vaccines were done.
The expected side effects were fever and soreness/redness where the injection was done.
Apart from that, these public health officials believe that all should be well.
When you look at the bright side, this vaccine indeed helps a great deal.
The vaccine makes us immune to H1N1.
Those people who are expected to get the disease are those who are not immune to the virus at all.
But the decision to get a vaccine is still yours.
You have yourself and your family to protect.
In case you have questions regarding this new swine flu vaccine, it is best to address your concern directly to the local health authorities.
They may be able to supply documents supporting the history of the vaccine.
So that finally, you can decide whether you want this new vaccine or not.