• This year, the regular, seasonal flu vaccine has as its H1N1 component, last year's pandemic strain. So there is only one vaccine. Phew!

• As the vaccine you ordered arrives, go ahead and start using it. You don't need to wait. Evidence indicates immunity should last all flu season. The CDC, ADHS and we are all recommending starting now. And keep using it all throughout the flu season.

• At last, the national recommendation (of ACIP and the CDC) is to vaccinate everyone 6 months of age and older.

• For kids less than 9 years of age, there's an algorithm for who needs two doses of vaccine (attached).

• As we're not in a crisis, please don't expect the number of emails you may have received from me last year. (I can hear that giant sigh of relief!)

• Like last year, the live attenuated vaccine (Flumist) is absolutely safe for use by healthcare workers and others who meet the licensed criteria. The only health care workers who need to worry about transmitting vaccine virus to patients are those who work in a bone marrow transplant unit. Otherwise, it's a good option.

• As for health care workers, there's no excuse (except for medical or religious exemptions) for a health care worker to skip flu vaccine. To willingly take the extra risk of infecting and harming your patients, rather than accepting a simple immunization, is inexcusable in my opinion. Get your own flu vaccine!

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