Obamas get swine flu shots

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama have received their swine flu shots.

Obama said on Monday that he and his wife "just got the shots." A White House official later said Obama was vaccinated at the White House on Sunday and that Mrs Obama was vaccinated a few days before her husband.

The president also encouraged everyone to get vaccinated against the H1N1 strain of flu now that the vaccine is available to the general public. The vaccines had been restricted to high-risk groups such as children.

Obama said the vaccine is safe.

"I think people just need to understand if I had the two people that are most important in my life, my two daughters, get it right away ... then you need to make sure your children get it as well," he said.

Daughters Malia, 11, and Sasha, 8, got their shots in October when the vaccine first became available. In the interview, Obama said the girls have been just fine and have yet to get sick this flu season.