The number of reported deaths linked to swine flu in the Bay Area rose to 17 Tuesday after public health officials reported new deaths in Solano and San Mateo counties. Even after people are vaccinated, it's important they take other steps like regularly washing their hands or covering coughs and sneezes to keep themselves, and others, healthy, public health officials say. The flu vaccine takes about two weeks to become fully effective, so public health experts recommend people get it now if they haven't already.