There are currently two ways to receive the vaccine for the H1N1 virus. The first is a nasal swab and the second is a standard injection. In addition to the obvious difference that one goes up your nose and the other gets injected in to your body, there are other differences betwen the two vaccination approaches that are important to consider.

First, the nasal spray is made with the live virus. It is the more “natural” form of the vaccine because it goes up your nose, just like the way you contract the flu. However, because it is alive, it may cause more flu-like symptoms. The injection is made with virus proteins, meaning that there are no live germs swimming around in the vaccine.

Second, the shot is made with mercury. There are some with trace amounts and some with more than trace amounts. You can, however, find flu shots manufactured without any mercury.

Some some people it will not matter what type of vaccination they receive, but for others such as pregnant women who may be concerned about mercury, choosing a vaccination method will be an important decision.