In Need of an H1N1 or Seasonal Flu Vaccination?

Yes it can. LAIV, or Live, attenuated influenza vaccine (Nasal Spray) is recommended for Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children up to 5 years of age, and people 50 and older. It is the children between 6 months and 2 years that shouldn’t receive the LAIV.
Reference: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-laiv-h1n1.pdf

I am having a medical procedure in the coming weeks, should I wait to get the vaccine? Can the vaccine make me sick?

It is impossible to “get” the flu from the influenza vaccine if given as a shot, because it is made with an inactive virus. The nasal spray vaccine does contain a live attenuated vaccine and does give you some mild flu like symptoms. It is probably wise to avoid this type of vaccine within a week of a procedure. We are encouraging everyone to get there influenza vaccine as soon as it becomes available this year (you will still maintain immunity through out the entire flu season).

How long can the H1N1 virus live on hard surfaces?

The H1N1 virus is new. Research is being conducted to better understand its characteristics. Studies have shown that flu viruses can survive on hard surfaces and can infect a person for up to 2 to 8 hours after being left on items like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent hand washing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

Flu viruses may be spread when a person touches droplets left by coughs and sneezes on hard surfaces (such as desks or door knobs) or objects (such as keyboards or pens) and then touches his or her mouth or nose. But, routine cleaning will kill these germs.
Reference: http://answers.flu.gov/questions/3943

The seasonal flu vaccine contains H1N1. Why do we need another dose?

Are the flu vaccines clinically proven safe for pregnant women and their babies?

Answer (from the CDC’s Q&A page):

Why does CDC recommend that pregnant women receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine?

It is important for a pregnant woman to receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine as well as a seasonal influenza vaccine. A pregnant woman who gets any type of flu is at risk for serious complications and hospitalization. Pregnant women who are otherwise healthy have been severely impacted by the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (formerly called “novel H1N1 flu” or “swine flu”). In comparison to the general population, a greater proportion of pregnant women infected with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus have been hospitalized. In addition, severe illness and death has occurred in pregnant women. Six percent of confirmed fatal 2009 H1N1 flu cases thus far have been in pregnant women while only about 1% of the general population is pregnant. While hand washing, staying away from ill people, and other steps can help to protect pregnant women from influenza, vaccination is the single best way to protect against the flu.

Is there a particular kind of flu vaccine that pregnant women should get? Are there flu vaccines that pregnant women should not get?

There are two type of flu vaccine. Pregnant women should get the "flu shot"— an inactivated vaccine (containing fragments of killed influenza virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in pregnant women. The other type of flu vaccine — nasal-spray flu vaccine (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine)—is not currently approved for use in pregnant women. This vaccine is made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu). LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.
Reference: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/pregnant_qa.htm

I have read on the internet that there will be a mutation of the Swine virus, making it possible to become ill a second time. Is this correct?

Viruses survive and spread by having the ability to mutate. If they did not, everyone would eventually become immune and the virus would no longer be able to find a new host. The vaccine will cause your body to form antibodies to the targeted virus. This will give you a level of protection to the targeted virus plus some additional protection to related viruses. So, the virus would have to mutate significantly for you to become ill a second time, in fact, at that time it would probably be classified as a new strain. Mutations that will occur, and probably what they are referring to, will be related to it's ability to resist antivirals, not it's recognition by your body.

Can pregnant women be in contact with someone who has gotten the nasal spray vaccine (LAIV)? Yes. A pregnant woman can be in close contact with someone who has gotten the nasal spray flu vaccine (LAIV).

A pregnant woman can also administer (give) a nasal spray vaccine (LAIV). Because the viruses in the nasal spray vaccine are attenuated or weakened, vaccine viruses are unlikely to cause ny illness symptoms, even if an unvaccinated person inadvertently gets vaccine viruses in their nose. The nasal spray vaccine against seasonal influenza viruses has been used in millions of school children and healthy adults since it was licensed, and there have been no reports of pregnant women becoming ill after exposure to their vaccinated children or other family members. While it's OK for her contacts to get the nasal spray vaccine, this vaccine should not be given to pregnant women. While LAIV is not known to be a safety risk for pregnant women, there have not been studies of LAIV among pregnant women to assess safety and effectiveness for use in this group. LAIV can be given to women after they have delivered, even if they are nursing. CDC recommends that pregnant woman get both the 2009 H1N1 flu shot and the seasonal flu shot. Flu shots are made with a killed virus, and have not been shown to cause harm to pregnant women or their babies.            

Reference:  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/nasalspray_qa.htm

In adults, only one dose of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, including the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine, is needed for protection. All children 2 through 9 years of age getting a 2009 H1N1 vaccine will need two doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine (either the 2009 H1N1 flu shot or the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine), The first dose should being given as soon as vaccine becomes available. The second dose should be given 28 or more days after the first dose. The first dose "primes" the immune system; the second dose provides immune protection. Children who only get one dose of vaccine when they need two doses may have reduced or no protection. Be sure to follow up to get your child a second dose if they need one. It usually takes about two weeks after the second dose for protection to begin.

Reference:  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/nasalspray_qa.htm

Can the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine and the seasonal nasal spray vaccine be given at the same time to the same person?

No. The seasonal nasal spray vaccine and the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine should not be given at the same time. This is because the nasal spray vaccines might not be as effective if given together. It is fine to receive the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray at the same time as the seasonal influenza (flu) shot, or the seasonal flu nasal spray at the same time as the 2009 H1N1 flu shot vaccine.

Reference:  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/nasalspray_qa.htm