LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Over 30 community, business and health care leaders attended an H1N1 question and answer session on Monday. While most of the time was spent reiterating the obvious, like washing your hands and staying home from work, or school, many did learn more about getting vaccines that are now in Dona Ana County.

“We've got vaccine that's starting to arrive,” said Chris Minnick of the New Mexico Department of Health. “It's going to providers, so people need to call their providers.”

While health officials are urging those at higher risk of developing complications from H1N1 to get vaccinated first, it's important to get both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 vaccine.

“Get both vaccinations because the H1N1 is different than the seasonal flu,” said Minnick.

You can get both vaccines at the same time, all you would have to do is make sure you alternate arms, or allow one to be a mist and the other a shot. However, if you wanted both vaccines to be a mist, health officials say they would have to come at least 28 days apart. Minnick said overall just make sure you don't let all that talk of “side effects,” discourage you from getting either vaccine.

“Any side effect you're going to get is going to be pale in comparison to actually getting the flu,” he said.

As kids remain to be at high-risk, any child under 9 needs two doses of H1N1, because they need a booster. Consequently when getting them both vaccines, they may need a total of four shots.

“If they've never had the seasonal flu, and obviously they will need two H1N1s, so they'll need four shots throughout the season,” said Minnick.