It doesn't make sense to get the seasonal flu shot and not the H1N1 flu shot because both of the vaccines are made the same way. The seasonal flu shot isn't tested before it is given to people either. If H1N1 came into the world a bit earlier, it would have been included in this year's seasonal flu shot.

Plus the dominant flu strain out there is H1N1. Seasonal flu is practically non existent. I got my H1N1 shot and I am not sure the seasonal flu shot is necessary.

The mercury in the flu shots is ethylmercury and not methylmercury. Ethylmercury is much safer than methylmercury because methymercury accumulates in the body but ethyl mercury is passed out. Methymercury is in tuna fish. So it is actually more dangerous to eat a tuna fish sandwich than get the flu shot.

There is a risk of Gullian Barre Syndrome with the shot, but there is also the risk of Guillian Barre if you manage to catch flu itself. Any infection can trigger it. Your chances of getting Guillian Barre from an actual infection is much greater than from a vaccine. The vaccine actually makes your chances of getting Gullian Barre lower because it prevents the flu.

The only really dangerous thing about the flu shot is that it may trigger a serious allergic reaction in a very select group of people, anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is very rare though and one person gets it for every 100,000 people vaccinated. That is why it is important to wait 15 mins after the shot. Usually anaphylaxis occurs within a few minutes of getting the vaccine. A shot of adrenaline will save your life if that happens. Anaphylaxis can develop from anything really, not just the vaccine. You could suddenly develop an allergy from latex for example and get it.

The really big side effect from the vaccine is a sore arm. Some people may also get a mild fever and fatigue, but it is not serious. Just take some Tylenol and you will be fine. It is not the flu.

Some people will develop the actual flu after the vaccine, but it is not from the vaccine. The vaccine can't give you the flu. It can take 2 weeks for your body to develop enough immunity to the flu from the flu shot so during that time you could still catch the flu. Aslo the flu vaccine doesn't prevent the flu if you've already gotten infected with the flu before the shot. The flu vaccine also doesn't work in all people, especially the non adjuvant version. Some people will get the flu despite getting the vaccine.

In Canada we have the H1N1 vaccine with an adjuvant and without an adjuvant. Only pregnant women and healthy people between the ages of 10 to 65 can get the non adjuvanted shot. People with any illness should get the adjuvanted version because it gives you more protection.

I'm glad I got the adjuvanted version myself. The adjuvant is also a natural substance that is actually in our bodies naturally. It makes the immune system response more robust and makes the flu vaccine work better.

I did get a side effect from the vaccine though, a very sore arm. It's been a week and it is still sore when I raise my arm. It is very annoying, but it is not dangerous. I would much rather get a sore arm than get the flu.

In my opinion however, the H1N1 flu is way overblown by the media. Seasonal flu kills as many people. The worrying thing is that H1N1 seems to kill young people more than the seasonal flu and there are cases of healthy young people dying from H1N1. H1N1 seems to target the lungs too. One my my chemistry profs at the University of Ottawa actually was comfirmed to have died of H1N1. He was healthy. Just google it, you will find the story. It is very sad.

I do think the media has scared a lot of people though. H1N1 flu sucks a lot, but most healthy people get over it OK. I do agree that those with underlying conditions and risk factors should get the vaccine though. I don't think it is too important to get the vaccine if you are healthy.

I am healthy though and I choose to get it because I really hate getting the flu, plus I want to do my part in preventing the spread of the flu.