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A few weeks ago, a doctor friend of mine called me to encourage me to get the H1N1 vaccination at a local government hospital. Apparently, those above 18 years of age should get themselves vaccinated. From young, I have never been one to fancy a needle poking into my skin but after reading THIS ARTICLE, I might have to do something about it.

Extracted from HERE:

With the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic going into its second year, Malaysians are advised to get the three-in-one vaccine dose now available in public and private hospitals and clinics nationwide.

The advice comes as doctors in hospitals see not only people in the high risk group being affected by the H1N1 virus but also children, the elderly and healthy people.

Sungai Buloh Hospital's infectious diseases department head Dr Christopher Lee said it was advisable that everyone aged six months and above got the vaccine dose.

He said the influenza vaccine for the Southern Hemisphere 2010, out in the market last month, protected people from influenza A H1N1 virus, influenza A virus subtype H3N2 and 1 subtype of influenza B virus.

"The vaccine dose will protect against the current strain of the pandemic virus and the seasonal flu virus," he said at a media conference on the annual influenza vaccination with new Southern Hemisphere formulation at KL Hilton yesterday.

The new influenza vaccine was recommended by the World Health Organisation.

It contains the pandemic H1N1 virus instead of the previous seasonal H1N1 strain, signalling that the pandemic strain is expected to push the older H1N1 strain aside. WHO annually recommends one H1N1, one H3N2 and one B strain for use in seasonal flu vaccines, trying to match the current circulating strains.

Dr Lee said the decision to add the new pandemic H1N1 strain was made as it was the predominant flu strain in much of the world by July, last year.

According to WHO, seasonal Influenza kills up to 500,000 people every year. This estimate includes both countries which experience seasonal and tropical climates.

Prof Datin Dr Che IIina Che Isahak, who is with the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, said Malaysians should not take lightly the call by the government and WHO to get the vaccine dose as it would give the best chance of not catching the flu. Click HERE for more.

Has anyone taken the vaccination? Please leave a comment to share your thoughts/views about this. Thanks! In the mean time, take care and have a lovely day!