I hope everyone's healthy so far!

I'm in the middle of deciding whether I should take the H1N1 flu shot or not. I've discussed this issue with the nursing program coordinator at my school and it looks like I will have to take it. The H1N1 flu shot is not mandatory for me. However, if I do contract the virus and get sick, I will not be allowed to do my clinical hours at the hospital. Long story short, I would most likely fail my course. In addition to the H1N1 flu shot, I'm probably required to get the regular flu shot as well.

I don't know if it's any different from where you live, but here in downtown Toronto people are lining up at set-up clinics even before daybreak just to get the H1N1 flu shot. And those are just the high-risk (1st) priority group of people. I'm fortunate enough to fall under the priority group (as healthcare provider, mind you) and have easier access to the vaccine, but I can't help but feel uneasy for the rest of the population who have to wait for another month or two to get the vaccine. It's obvious that the government did not better prepared themselves and were too late in manufacturing the vaccine.

Some people say the H1N1 virus is no worse than the regular flu virus we get every year. Others say that it could have the potential to start a worldwide pandemic, much like the Spanish flu of 1918. If the latter is true, then are we prepared enough to survive through it?

Probably not.

In the meantime, just keep washing those hands and sneezing on your sleeves, folks. Those might be your best defences against the H1N1 flu.