CDC Hosts Special Event to Promote H1N1 Vaccination

On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with their partner organizations will hold a special event on Capitol Hill to create awareness of the H1N1 vaccine’s availability.  The event, which is part of National Influenza Vaccine Week, will have a special emphasis on reaching out to the Latino community, and will include presentations by several health experts including Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.  Additionally, a mobile medical unit from Georgetown University Hospital will be on site to administer vaccinations to children and families on a first-come, first-served basis.

The CDC has estimated that 47 million Americans came down with H1N1 influenza between April and mid-November of 2009. This virus caused more than 200,000 hospitalizations and is responsible for approximately 10,000 deaths – and many have been children and young people.  Experts continue to be concerned that H1N1 influenza activity may increase again in the future. With H1N1 vaccine available across the country, public health officials are stressing the need for continued vaccinations.

Flu.gov