Korean parents in the New York/New Jersey area – like parents everywhere – are confused about whether to allow their children to receive the H1N1 vaccine. Some Korean parents have already made sure their children are vaccinated, but many others are confused and waiting until they are convinced the vaccine is safe before sending their children for the shot. In fact, the confusion and worries are growing among Korean families with small children or pregnant mothers in the household.

For some time now, rumors concerning side effects of the H1N1 vaccine have spread in the Korean community, causing some families to reject the vaccination for their children. But recent news that a Korean actor's seven-year-old son died from swine flu came as a great shock to the Korean community, and heightened tension concerning the vaccination. The boy had not been vaccinated.

Mr. Park, a resident of Woodside, Queens, said, "If something were to happen to my children, I would blame myself. I decided to keep them from having the vaccine. But when I heard that pediatricians couldn't get the vaccine because of short supply, I regretted my decision." Mr. Moon, a resident of Bayside, said, "My children received the normal seasonal flu shots, but not the H1N1, since I'm concerned about its safety. But when I heard about the actor's son, I became uncertain – should I let my kids get the shot?"

This general sense of confusion is not caused by the death of the actor's son alone; there is another big story behind the confusion. At PS 124 in South Ozone Park, Queens, 16 children became severely ill after receiving the vaccine, and the report of this incident has caused much unrest in the community. The children exhibited vomiting, nausea, headache, and muscle pain; three children were rushed to the emergency room.

Even parents who are just waiting for supplies to increase so they can have their children vaccinated are caught up in the worry. They fear any possible side effects of the shot as much as they fear the flu itself.

Now, wherever parents gather in the Korean community there is a debate on the pros and cons of the H1N1 vaccination. Adding to their confusion is the vast amount of information on the Internet about TAMIFLU, and the treatment and prevention of H1N1. Many sites post stories about side effects supposedly caused by the vaccine; children suddenly start to vomit, get severe headaches, and have fever and muscle pain. One of the sites notes that doctors are not giving their own children the H1N1 vaccine; another suggests that the vaccine is not yet approved by the FDA, and that the agency is carefully monitoring vaccination reports to know how people react to it. One commentator believes that the side effects of the vaccine are so severe that it will be withdrawn from circulation.

Mrs. Chong, who is 31 weeks into her first pregnancy, said, "I am very wary about getting the H1N1 vaccine – I decided against it. Then I heard that a pregnant woman died from swine flu recently so I made an appointment for a shot. However, I'm still not sure I'm doing the right thing."

Dr. Eun-sook Pang, a pediatrician in New York, imparts the following advice: "Listening to rumors that have no facts – that are based on nothing – can cause more damage than good. Risking your life to avoid possible side effects of a vaccine is just plain foolish. If you have any doubts concerning your child's symptoms, you should consult a physician quickly."