Your Flu Vaccine Questions Answered
Sept. 28, 2009 — -- Americans are bracing for flu season and while many are preoccupied with the spread of the H1N1 virus, medical experts are urging people to protect themselves also from the seasonal flu.
Dr. Holly Anderson of New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center stopped by "Good Morning America" today to give Diane Sawyer, Chris Cuomo and Sam Champion their seasonal flu shots, and to answer questions about this unique flu season.
"This is the time to get vaccinated, and the seasonal flu can kill people as well," Anderson said. "It's not to be taken lightly."
Don't Forget the Seasonal Flu Shot
The flu is now widespread in most of the country -- 26 states have reported outbreaks and there have been more than 10,000 hospitalizations and more than 900 deaths.
Anderson says doctors believe that "99 percent of that is swine flu" so far because we haven't hit the peak season for seasonal flu. But, she cautioned, seasonal flu kills tens of thousands of people in the United States each year. And, while concerns about H1N1 are warranted, Americans should also be worried about the seasonal flu, she said.
"It is definitely recommended that you get the seasonal flu vaccine," Anderson said. There is no guarantee that you won't still get the flu but "we try to anticipate the strains that are going to be out there."
Who Shouldn't Get the Seasonal Flu Shot?
Anderson said some people, listed below, shouldn't receive the vaccine:
Robin Roberts falls into the third group, which is why she didn't receive a vaccine today.
