Abstract
* Nurses play an important role in flu prevention, especially with the reemergence of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza (swine flu).
* Because the H1N1 strain was identified after the seasonal flu vaccine was developed, patients and health care providers should be immunized for both.
* Priority populations for 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination are pregnant women, people who live with or provide care to infants younger than six months old, health care providers, people between six months and 24 years old, and people 25 to 64 years old with medical conditions that increase their risk of complications from the flu.
* Most flu vaccines are administered by intramuscular injection. An intranasal spray is also available for use in patients two to 49 years old (except pregnant women).