Not me; but then, I'm just not a ready vaccine-taker and don't even take the regular flu shot.  My husband, who always takes the regular shot, is also not going for H1N1.  We feel it was too hastily developed.

We got the seasonal flu shot, too.   We have heard that they may not have enough for everyone until after December (it changes) and any supply they get will be for the little ones and pregnant moms.    In all likelihood, we will not get it either; we are hoping we have some immunity from previous like flus. 

Just as an aside, my grandfather had the 1918 flu . . . and survived.

I won`t. My mom gets the regular flu shot every year and gets sick all winter. I have never had a shot and haven`t had the flu for years. Keeping my fingers crossed though.

Laurie, I pray that you and everyone I know is spared getting it.   It seems a lot of people are not opting to get the shot even if it is available.    

I am not. The reason being, the flu is mutating. Meaning, what the flu is now may not be what it is in a few months - which may lead to the vaccine not protecting against it anyways. The other reason, it has been created so quickly, how have they tested the effects of it 20, 30 years down the road. The vaccine hasn't been in the testing stage long enough to know what it can do - it's just too quick. That's my opinion anyways.

As an alternative, Vitamin C and D help to protect you against the H1N1. Boost the immune system. Constant hand washing is also a must. If you're sick, don't go to work. And if other's are sick... Try to stay away!

Bailey; you are not alone; many share your opinion.   It's true about  mutating making the vaccine ineffective; I haven't heard that it was mutating  :(  - that's not good news.  And the vaccine was done very quicky and yes, the results are not conclusive.   I read also about Vitamin D and C, especially D and how even sunlight helps and that's why more colds are in the winter time; lack of sunshine which is vitamin D.  Thanks for commenting.  

I usually avoid any vaccines unless I absolutely need it.  This currently vaccination is for people in high-risk groups--the elderly, young children, and health care workers--and I'm a very healthy 22 year old.

Instead of getting it, I'm eating well and drinking plenty of fluids to strengthen my immune system.  I'm also washing my hands frequently and avoiding sick people.  

Hopefully doing this alone will protect me just as well as the vaccination.

Ann, many young people are focusing on their health and habits like you are; I'm hoping you ALL stay healthy and well and perhaps the extra care will result in less colds and flus all around.     The pharmacist told me that sick traffic has quieted down some, which is good news.   In our newspaper this morning (I am updating this and not my opinion - just relating the news) in Georgetown, SC - the first H1N1 vaccines were given to school children.   At the elementary school, 203 students received the vaccine and 89 parents retracted their original consensus to have their children get the shot.   These are the 'at risk' age group.  For children under 10,  they need two doses of the vaccine in the next 21 days to four weeks.    From the pictures and article, it looks like they are administered by needle and are free.  

In the last 10 years I have had a flu vaccine 50% of the time. The years I got a flu shot I got sick with a different strain possibly. Nevertheless, I got sick. The years I didn’t get a flu shot I didn’t get sick. I don’t know why either, I know other people like this. If I get the regular flu shot I am worried I will for certain get H1N1 since the H1N1 vaccine could be months away. I most likely will not get any flu shot. Which seems stupid when you think about what the CDC says and how it could prevent me from getting very sick. But I don’t particularly believe the CDC, bad position to be in.

This flu is more worrisome the way it hits so fast and the lungs. Younger people seem to be at most risk. Only answer so far to that is they don’t have any immunity to this strain. It is getting old watching interviews with certain doctors and government agencies on the news making it sound as if people taking supplements to boost their immune system are fools while they promote injecting chemicals.

I have written about Umcka, Sambucus, vitamin D and How to boost the immune system and I am doing all of those things. It might help, it would also help if no one sick sneezes on me. I wrote Natures Way, the makers of Sambucus and Umcka and they wrote back that most people use Sambucus to build the immune system and take Umcka within 48 hours of even starting to feel sick. One other thing I am doing is cutting out foods that cause excess mucus in the body like alcohol and dairy except some yogurt. Since mucus is what can lead to flu really hitting the lungs. I will be glad when spring gets here.

Here is another article with references about Vitamin D and the flu. And here is the question in the health forum that I put the reply from Natures Way in.

I will not be getting the shot, I never get the seasonal flu shots, so I'm not going to get the H1N1 vaccine either. I don't know if most people realize or know this but the vaccine DOES NOT prevent you from getting the flu, it is supposed to help that if you do get the flu you should have a more mild case, but this cannot really be proven, so...I'm not discouraging people, I think you should definitely get the shot if you're at high risk and you think you may be susceptible to getting it, but I don't think it's something that is absolutely necessary. Take vitamin C and keep your immune system up as much as possible, stay healthy and you will be at low risk of catching any kind of flu or other bug and if you do you will recover faster by having your immune system boosted.

Thanks, Amanda, for your input.   Many who have responded have thoughts much like yours.   If this small survey is an indication then it looks like more won't get it than those who will.   With the predicted shortages, it may be a good thing we feel like we do.   I agree that people who are at high risk, should think about it and hopefully, there will be enough for them.

I'm still actually undecided. I want my older kids to get it for different reasons (as discussed elsewhere); though I'm undecided about myself and the baby. The reasons for the mental dialogue and debate are numerous - for many of the various reasons already listed here. I guess I want the older kids to get it because the probability of exposure in middle and high school is so much higher than what the baby & I contend with - and they bring home whatever they've been exposed to. That said, I also know if they've already been exposed, then the vaccine is essentially useless - to them, to the baby, to me, to my husband. Sigh. Like I said, I'm undecided. I will have to make the decision when the notification//permission slips come home from the schools - since at the older kids' ages, the vaccine is not dispensed by their pediatrician, but by the health department. Meh.

Denise, it sounds like you are carefully weighing your options and I am sure you will decide the best course.   If it is any help, the kids here that get it are quarantined for about a week and it passes along, but the moms and dads - 30s to 40s don't come down with it.   The senior population has hardly been hit at all according to the doctor's office and the pharmacist.   Just usual colds and allergies.   The flu has veered off somewhat in SC and I'm hoping the first frost will help keep it that way.  We're definitely having Indian summer here and you may be, too.   I hope you and your family stays healthy and well.     Blessings to all of you.  

The schools and health dept. I suppose have sent letters home for us to either agree to or decline having our childern vaccinated for this at school.

Now, to be quite frank, No, I am not agreeing to have this shot contaminate my children. I think I'd rather wait to see how many of these children get sick and die from being injected with such a toxin before making such a decision for my kids.

I am thankful they are giving us a choice!

That's the way it should always be - that it is our choice.   Stay healthy, Sara - you and the kiddles.  :)