Published on January 9, 2010 at 4:55 AM
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a nationwide effort
to encourage more Americans to get the H1N1 flu vaccine during National
Influenza Vaccination Week, January 10–16, 2010.
“The window of opportunity to get the H1N1 vaccine is still open”
“This is a challenging flu season for millions of Americans and their
families, and it’s not over yet,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
“The H1N1 vaccine is safe, effective and the best way to prevent the
flu. We urge all Americans to protect themselves and their families by
getting the H1N1 flu vaccine.”
From April 2009 until mid-November 2009, H1N1 flu infected approximately
47 million Americans and contributed to more than 200,000
hospitalizations and nearly 10,000 deaths. Flu season is unpredictable
and typically lasts until May.
“The window of opportunity to get the H1N1 vaccine is still open,” said
Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., director of CDC. “We do not know how
many more cases of flu there will be in the coming weeks and months, but
we do know that the H1N1 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself.”
http://www.hhs.gov/