As millions of school children head back to their classrooms, experts are warning us about being preared for an outbreak of swine flue - also known as H1N1. As we all know children pick up anything and everything that’s going around, and so do their parents. So, flu vaccines take on a whole new importance this year, in light of H1N1.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control, the groups recommended to receive the novel H1N1 vaccine include:

• Pregnant women, because they are at higher risk for complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of flu-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants by "cocooning" them from the virus
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity
• All people from 6 months through to 24 years of age, inclusive
• Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because there have been many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in children and they are in close contact with each other in school and daycare settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread
• Young adults aged 19 thorugbh 24 years because there have been many cases of novel H1N1 in healthy young adults and they often live, work,m and study in close proximity, and are a frequently mobile population
• Persons aged 25-through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from the flu.

The seasonal flu vaccine will still be available to the public, but it is not expected to to protect against H1N1. Having said that, it is advisable to have it.

Here are some tips from Health Canada’s website on how to protect yourself against H1N1 infection. These tips are universal - they don’t really vary from country to country:

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer

• Cough and sneeze in your arm or sleeve
• Keep doing what you normally do, but stay home if sick
• Check www.fightflu.ca  for more information
• Check www.voyage.gc.ca  for travel notices and advisories
• Talk to a health professional if you experience severe flu-like symptoms