I've learned, as I've aged, that I need my flu vaccine. Most years, it helps. This year, with our scary new flu, it really is worth it.

If you have asthma - if you are one of those people who gets bronchitis after a cold - if you have an ongoing health condition like heart issues or lung issues or diabetes - get yourself to your doctor and beg for the shot!

If you have children, get them the vaccine (they're on the priority list, even before older people with asthma and a history of respiratory problems, like me).

If you are pregnant, get the vaccine!!!!!!!! If you have any of the numerous conditions that compromise your immune system, get the vaccine!!!!!!!!!

I had my shot yesterday, my asthma doctor also works at the public health clinic, and she was able to get the H1N1 vaccine for her high-risk patients.

It isn't a big deal. And it's much better than 3 weeks in the hospital on a respirator, the way some people are ending up.

New findings: 20% of the people age 50 and over who are hospitalized with H1N1 DIE - whether or not they have an underlying health problem. CDC is beginning to think that obesity may also be a factor in H1N1 deaths - not in young people, not in kids, but in the over 50 crowd.

And if you are a parent, please don't send your sick child to school. We teachers aren't a priority, so many of my co-workers aren't able to get the H1N1 vaccine even if they want it. Please, don't expose us to whatever your child has. If they're sick, keep them home. We don't want to lose one child. We also don't want to lose one teacher.

Respect yourself. Protect yourself. This includes getting two flu shots this year. Really.