Swine flu: what you should know about the vaccine and protection

Swine flu is being billed as a potential killer this winter, but health officials still tell us the best public defense is washing our hands. Everyone should get H1N1 flu shots, the feds say, yet media reports warn there may not be enough vaccine. Some suggest the seasonal flu shot actually increases the chances of getting swine flu, while others say it reduces the chances. Confused? Scared? If so, you're not alone.

With this in mind, DailyFinance looked into some of the concerns and realities surrounding the virus and how best we can protect ourselves. Here's what we found out:

Concern: H1N1 vaccine won't be available for a long time.

Reality: It's already here. The first doses of swine flu vaccine arrived Monday.