NEW: H1N1 flu vaccine for the open letter to the American people.

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Open Letter to the American People:

Since the 2009 H1N1 flu virus hit our shores, scientists, manufacturers, health providers, and federal, state, and local health officials have worked together to protect the health of the American people. Over 110 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine are now available, with more coming every day. Now is the time to protect yourself and those around you by getting vaccinated against the H1N1 flu.

The traditional flu season is just beginning and typically lasts until May. History tells us to prepare for another serious wave of illness. With H1N1 flu declining in many areas, we have a window of opportunity to help prevent the flu from spreading further and causing even more illness, hospitalization, and death.

The H1N1 flu vaccine is safe, effective, and the best way to protect yourself and your family from the H1N1 flu.

The H1N1 vaccine is made the same way seasonal flu vaccines are made every year. Extensive testing and monitoring have shown that the vaccine is not only safe, but also an excellent match for the H1N1 flu virus. And remember that when you get vaccinated, you don’t just help yourself; you help your community by preventing the spread of the flu virus.

We especially encourage people with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, children, young adults, caretakers of infants, and health care workers to get vaccinated against H1N1. Unlike the seasonal flu, H1N1 has hit children, young people, and adults under age 65 exceptionally hard. That is why we encourage you to get the H1N1 vaccine as soon as possible.

Fighting the flu is a shared responsibility. We ask you to join us in this fight to protect yourself and your community by getting the H1N1 flu vaccine.

Sincerely,

Nancy H. Nielsen, M.D., PhD
Immediate Past President
American Medical Association

Rebecca Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR
President
American Nurses Association

Welford C. Roberts, PhD, RS, REHS, DAAS
President
National Environmental Health Association

 

Susan Wysocki, WHNP-BC, FAANP
President & CEO
National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health

Geraldine “Polly” Bednash, PhD, RN, FAAN
CEO & Executive Director
American Association of Colleges of Nursing

Mark E. Rupp, MD
President
Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America

 

Larry A. Wickless, DO
President
American Osteopathic Association

Tom Van Coverden
President & CEO
National Association of Community Health Centers

 

Sharon A. R. Stanley, PhD, RN, RS
Chief Nurse
American Red Cross

 

Steve H. Hanson, MPA, PAC, AAPA
President
American Academy of Physician Assistants

 

Elena Rios, MD, MSPH
President & CEO
National Hispanic Medical Association

Angela Gardner, MD, ACEP
President
American College of Emergency Physicans

 

Michael A. Barry, CAE
Executive Director
American College of Preventive Medicine

 

Richard J. Whitley, MD, FIDSA
President
Infectious Diseases Society of America

 

Jane L. Delgado, PhD, MS
President & CEO
National Alliance for Hispanic Health

 

Harold A. Schaitberger
General President
International Association of Fire Fighters

Lori Heim, MD
President
American Academy of Family Physicians

 

Denise Graham
Executive Vice President
Association for Professional in Infection Control & Epidemiology

 

Mitchel C. Rothlolz, RPh, MBA
Chief of Staff
American Pharmacists Association

Michelle Beauchesne, DNSc, RN, CPNP, FNAP, FAANP
President
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

 

James C. Turner, MD, FACHA
President
American College Health Association

 

Joseph W. Stubbs, MD, FACP
President
American College of Physicians

Clare Coleman
President & CEO
National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association

 

Sandi Delack, RN, BSN, MEd
President
Amy Garcia, RN, MSN
Executive Director
National Association of School Nurses

Michael R. Fraser, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Affairs Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs

 

Lawrence A. McAndrews, FACHE
President & CEO
National Association of Childrens Hospitals and Related Institutions

Bruce T. Roberts, R.Ph
Executive Vice President and CEO
National Community Pharmacists Association

 

Rich Umbdenstock
President and CEO
American Hospital Association

Charles N. Kahn III
President and CEO
Federation of American Hospitals

 

Dr. Geoffrey Rutledge
Chief Medical Officer
Epocrates 

National Medical Association Willarda V. Edwards, M.D., MBA
President

American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Pamela Hymel, MDMPH, FACOEM
President

National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
George C. Hill, Ph.D.
President

Premier Safety Institute
Gina Pugliese, RN MS
Vice President

Service Employees International Union
Andrew L. Stern
President

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees – United Nurses of America
Gerald W. McEntee
President

HHS does not endorse private products, services, or enterprises.

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