Get vaccinated against both H1N1 flu and the seasonal flu, advises Chief Nurse of the American Red Cross

With the first doses of the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine being shipped and seasonal flu shots underway, people should be getting vaccinations when they can for these flu viruses, said Sharon Stanley, Chief Nurse of the American Red Cross.

"Dealing with the flu is a three-step process: Get vaccinated, stop the spread with basic hygiene and stay home if sick," Stanley said.

Getting vaccinated against both the H1N1 flu and the seasonal flu is the most important step.

"Make sure you and your loved ones are vaccinated this flu season," urges Stanley.

While vaccines are the most powerful public health tool for controlling influenza, Stanley said that people can help reduce their exposure by using good hand-washing hygiene, social distancing and covering their cough.

Finally, people who become ill with an influenza-like illness should stay home and check in with a health care provider if symptoms worsen or they are in a high-risk group for H1N1 complications.

"It is important for individuals to understand that there are two options available for vaccination against H1N1," says Stanley. "The nasal mist, which is a weakened vaccine virus, and the injection, a killed vaccine virus, cannot cause the flu. Both are Food and Drug Administration approved in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These are very safe products that are matched for this year's H1N1 virus."

Individuals need to get both seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines. The H1N1 vaccine is designed to be distributed to high risk groups first, but everyone who wants to be vaccinated will be able to do so through December. The seasonal flu vaccine is already widely available.

Shipments of the H1N1 vaccine are already underway and individuals should be patient as states distribute the vaccines as they are received, as crowds are expected, at least at first.

Pregnant women, the young (ages 6 months- 24 years), people younger than 64 who have conditions such as asthma or diabetes that increase the risk of complications from flu, health workers and caregivers of babies less than six months will be first in line.

Additional vaccine information is located on http://www.flu.gov/. The American Red Cross also has information available on H1N1 preparedness, including what people can do to stay healthy and keep their family healthy.