The swine flu vaccine is finally here - more than three weeks behind schedule - but now comes the battle to get people to take it.

News that the vaccination is no longer compulsory for Haj pilgrims is without doubt a relief to those influenced by the so-called anti-vaccine lobby.

But it is extremely disheartening for officials who have been at pains to reiterate over and over again that everyone should take the shot - especially those in high-risk brackets.

Many officials I spoke with are aghast at the decision to exempt pilgrims and I feel their fears are justified, because at the end of it all, Bahrain may well be faced with very high numbers of sick people as they return home.

In the face of winter, officials also fear the situation may well get out of hand.

So when officials and dignitaries gather at the Hamad Kanoo Health Centre today to watch Health Minister Dr Faisal Al Hamer take the first vaccine, they would do well to follow suit, to send a strong message to the public.

I was initially against taking the vaccine myself because I thought I am a healthy individual and the virus, even if it strikes, would be fought off.

But when first my teenaged son and two weeks later, my 13-year-old daughter fell victim to the bug, I had a change of heart, even though they recovered rapidly.

Why even get the bug in the first place? If there is a possible defence, take it!

On both occasions when the virus struck home, I have remained unaffected and so has my visiting father, close friends and even the houseboy.

Yes, we have all been lucky, but it does not mean we won't catch it another time.

What happens when the so-called 'next wave' strikes as has happened in Saudi Arabia?

That could be a massive public health problem after Haj. We need to be prepared to handle that and defend ourselves. So I will be taking my jab, along with Dr Al Hamer. mandeep@gdn.com.bh