Get Vaccinated Against the Flu

Protect yourself from the flu - get vaccinated! This year, you'll need at least two immunizations to be protected from both the seasonal and H1N1 strains.

On this page:
Finding vaccine
Who should get these vaccines?
Vaccine Safety
Overall vaccine information
Health professionals

Finding vaccine

• Find an H1N1 Flu Shot Clinic
  Search for H1N1 flu vaccine in your area.
  
  
• Find a Seasonal Flu Shot Clinic
  Get vaccinated now, either from your regular healthcare provider, or at a public flu shot clinic.

Who should get these vaccines?

• Who should get H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine?
  List of who should get H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccine.
  
  
• CDC Advisors Make Recommendations for Use of Vaccine Against Novel H1N1
  Recommendation from ACIP about who should receive the H1N1 novel influenza vaccine. Attention: Non-MDH link
  
  
• Give These People Seasonal Influenza Vaccine! (PDF: 35KB/1 page)
  One page checklist showing who should get vaccinated this year from the Immunization Action Coalition. Attention: Non-MDH link
  
  
• Self-Screening Checklist for FluMist
  If you are healthy and between the ages of 2 and 49, the FluMist nasal vaccine may be right for you. Available for both seasonal and H1N1 influenza.
  
  
• 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine and Pregnant Women Q and A
  CDC questions and answers about H1N1 influenza vaccine and pregnant women. Attention: Non-MDH link
  
  
• What You Should Know and Do this Flu Season If You Are 65 Years and Older
  CDC provides guidance for people 65 years and older on influenza, influenza vaccines, and antiviral drugs. Attention: Non-MDH link

Vaccine safety

• H1N1 Flu Vaccine: Setting the Record Straight
  Fact sheet answering some questions and concerns about the new vaccine.
  
  
• Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness
  Questions and answers from the Centers for Disease Control on the effectiveness of the seasonal flu vaccine. Attention: Non-MDH link
  
  
• Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV): A Safe and Effective Choice
  Concerned about FluMist? Is it safe for you as a health care provider?
  
  
• Thimerosal and Childhood Vaccines: What You Should Know
  Fact sheet on thimerosal and childhood vaccines.
  
  
• Nothing to Fear but the Flu Itself
  New York Times article by Paul A. Offit, chief of the infectious diseases division of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Attention: Non-MDH link
  
  
• Religious Leaders' Approval of Use of Vaccines containing Porcine Gelatin
  Observant Muslims and Jews have expressed concerns about pork gelatin in some vaccines, including a couple influenza products. Learn more about which vaccines include gelatin and read a statement by Muslim and Jewish scholars saying that these vaccines are acceptable. Attention: Non-MDH link

Overall vaccine information

• Vaccine Information Statements (VISs)
  What you need to know fact sheets about each flu vaccine from the CDC. This is the handout you get when you receive the vaccine.
  
  
• 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Q and A
  CDC questions and answers about H1N1 influenza vaccine. Attention: Non-MDH link
  

• Vaccination Information from Flu.gov
  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services information on influenza vaccination. Attention: Non-MDH link

Health professionals

• Vaccine Information For Health Professionals
  Technical information about flu vaccines for all sorts of health professionals.
  
  

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