Is the swine flu very serious or what im so confused?

should I be worried about getting the swine flu. I also have a 18 month old should i be worried about her getting it too. I am kind of confused. Is the H1N1 vaccine something that we absolutely have to have or is it a choice. I mean i know its a choice but is it like GO GET IT NOW BEFORE YOU DIE or is it like GET IT IF YOU WANT TO. I am just unsure if i should worry about it. I know all the facts about the people dying but i still dont understand if this is something to freak out about. What happens if you were to get the swine flu? do you die? or what?