Uncle Sam Wants YOU to Stay Healthy
Here's kudos to our federal government for its efforts to spread the word about the prevention, treatment and containment of the novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus as we head into the fall flu season.
From three federal agencies teaming on a series of televised PSAs with Sesame Street, to continual updates, new guidelines for employers and schools, and other recommendations from CDC, FDA, HHS and the Department of Homeland Security, NIH and the White House, much is being done to ensure Americans are aware of the seriousness of the situation and the steps we can take to keep us from becoming another H1N1 statistic.
Many of you do not, however, feel like congratulating your facility's efforts to protect nurses, patients and others against H1N1, according to a recent spot poll on the ADVANCE for Nurses homepage.
Meanwhile, one recent offering from CDC will prove useful to healthcare providers to pregnant women concerned about taking the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. On Sept. 1, CDC posted a feature on the topic on its Web site with answers to some of the most pressing questions, such as:
- Why does CDC recommend pregnant women receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine?
- Is there a particular kind of flu vaccine pregnant women should get?
- Are there flu vaccines that pregnant women should not get?
- Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu?
Check out all the questions and answers at http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/vaccination/pregnant_qa.htm.