CHAMPAIGN--The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District was put in the spotlight recently for its efforts to stop the spread. Its paid close attention to children. They're among those who face the biggest threat. How to fight it has moms and dads making decisions they hope they won't regret.

The Mikeworth and Dickerson families are both equally worried about H1N1. "It's scary," said Nicole Dickerson. "You don't want to do anything that's going to harm your kids." "Our biggest goal as moms is to protect our kids and do the very best we can for them," agreed Tonya Mikeworth. They agree on many things, but their prescription for health differs. "The benefits of having the vaccines were greater than the risks," said Dickerson. Her two kids joined almost 19-thousand people in Champaign County who rolled up their sleeves. They've never had reactions to vaccines in the past, plus 4 year-old Eva was already sick with the bug. "We were a step away from going in the hospital and that was prior to having her vaccinated," said Dickerson. The decision to get the shot didn't come lightly. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District says 50 percent of parents haven't signed off on their kids getting vaccinated in school.

3 year-old Lydia Mikeworth of Tolono has a vitamin B12 deficiency. Her 7 year-old brother was born with organ defects. Their parents are holding off on the vaccine. "It's something that's new," said their dad Joshua. "I don't think they've got all the kinks worked out so to speak."

Doctors say the H1N1 vaccine is just a variation of vaccines tested for years and it's the one surefire way for protection. It contains a killed, not active virus and helps your body build antibodies or a defense against disease.

"It is a public disservice if somebody is stating to not vaccinate," said Doctor Dirk de Haas. He's Provena Covenant Medical Center's director of emergency medicine. He says it's possible to have an allergic reaction to any vaccine, but keeping your sleeves rolled down is not what the doctor ordered. "It's based on conjecture and not fact," he said. "It is based on probably some fear-mongering and not good science."

Fact or not, Tonya Mikeworth says there's no guarantee. "I can't do it just because somebody tells me I need to because I have to be responsible for what I put in my children and I have to know that it's not going to do more harm than good."

Neither family wants to see their little ones sick. For Mikeworth that means no shot. For the Dickerson's, the vaccine was the way to go. Either way, they both agree "mother knows best." "We hope and we pray that our choice will allow them to be healthier or if they do get the flu have a milder case," said Dickerson. "A lot of people ask me what happens if your kids get H1N1 and they die because of this and that's constantly on my mind and it's on every mom's mind whether they have the vaccine or not," said Mikeworth.

99 percent of people who get H1N1 it's just the flu. A few miserable days at home, but they'll be okay. Both families I spoke with are doing other things to keep their kids healthy. They're making a habit out of hand washing, wiping down grocery carts before shopping and steering clear of those who are sick.