With the H1N1 virus still on the loose and still hot on the news, U.S. health officials have just reminded people today that seasonal flu could be just as deadly especially to children.  So, they are encouraging everyone to take extra precautions this year.

Children ages six months to 18 years are recommended by the CDC to get the seasonal flu vaccine when it becomes available in the next couple of months.  Such stronger term, “recommendation” was preferred over the usual “encouragement” when it comes to getting a flu shot “when feasible,” says CDC’s Anne Schuchat.

Schuchat also said that these measures to be taken are for the protection of people and shielding others they could come in contact with.  Kids, particularly, are most likely to spread the virus.  Old and new strains are also likely to get into the circulation in the Northern Hemisphere when fall comes.

As for the status of swine flu in the U.S., Schuchat said that when worse comes to worst, 40 percent of Americans will be “affected” by the virus in the next two years, which means they themselves could get sick or they might have to modify their routine to take care of loved ones who are sick.

However, she adds that this would only happen if the new vaccines being tested do not work, if people do not practice proper and frequent hand washing, and if they don’t take measures to avoid spreading the virus when ill.

Schuchat also warns about unnecessary intake of Tamiflu like candy, which she says could inspire the H1N1 flu or the old flu to mutate, hence would need for new vaccines corresponding to new strains.