CDC 2009 H1N1 Flu | Open Letter to the American People about the H1N1 Flu Vaccine

January 21, 2010 2:00 PM ET

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
	Judith S. Palfrey, MD, FAAP President American Academy of Pediatrics		Gerald F. Joseph, Jr., MD, FACOG President American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
	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
	Robert C. Griggs, MD, FAAN President AAN		Reginald Ware CEO BlackDoctor.org
	Paul E. Jarris, MD, MBA Executive Director Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)		Robert M. Pestronk Executive Director National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
	Sandra Domeraki-Prickitt Executive President Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare (AOHP)		American Heart Association Suzanne Ffolkes Director of Media Advocacy
	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