To shake or not to shake? That is the H1N1 question!

Confusion
I am off to Toronto to a business meeting this week. Should I shake hands with the people I meet? Should I hug old friends that I haven’t seen in a long time. In the H1N1 world, these are big questions today. In fact over 60% of Canadians feel that you shouldn’t shake hands in this time.
I am confused about the flu shots. I know that I am supposed to get two this year. Originally, the province and the government were going to begin the vaccinations of the traditional seasonal flu shot in early October. It would be followed by the H1N1 flu shot when the vaccine became available.
Somewhere in the confusion of studies some province determined that the traditional flu shot was not going to be distributed to the public until January 2010 unless you were over the age of 65. That age group are the most susceptible to the seasonal flu. People who have found themselves at risk for the seasonal flu in the past, can make arrangements to have their shot early, by signing a waiver with the health unit.
The conflicting daily information and the conflicting policies by different provincial health agencies has lead to utter confusion. However the many provinces are now rolling out the seasonal flu vaccine now to be followed up with the H1N1.
Monday, the government announced that they had shipped out the 1 million doses of vaccine to health agencies across the country. The government is waiting for final verification that the vaccine is safe. It appears a matter of procedure and should come this week. And district residents should be able to line up in early November to be vaccinated. The province hopes to have everyone inoculated by the end of December.
And who should receive the vaccine. Even the Prime Minister of Canada wasn’t sure if he should receive a shot. And if the prime minister isn’t sure, how can the general population be any wiser. After all his government appoints the chief medical officer for the country.
In an article published in Monday’s Toronto Star, the map showed that as of October 16, there were 74 diagnosed cases of the swine flu in the Northwest Health region. In information published in the United States, the state of Minnesota appears to have a higher rate of swine flu diagnosis than other states.
Today we know that younger children, pregnant women and younger adults are more susceptible to the H1N1 flu. We also know from evidence that the flu never disappeared during the summer months as is the expected norm.
We know that frequent washing of hands, sneezing into one’s elbow or sleeve will help reduce the risk of transmitting or catching the virus. Health departments also recommend that if you come down with the symptoms, fevers, chills, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea you should stay home from work or school.
The H1N1 flu is the most active flue strain across North America. And is expected to peak some time in the next few months.
So I wonder; “Should I go and sign the waiver to get the seasonal flu shot, and then get a second flu shot in early November or should I follow the province’s guidelines and get the H1N1 in early November and wait until January to get the other shot?

–Jim Cumming,
Publisher