• FluTrackers.com Inc. does not provide medical advice. Information on this web site is collected from various internet resources, and the FluTrackers board of directors makes no warranty to the safety, efficacy, correctness or completeness of the information posted on this site by any author or poster. The information collated here is for instructional and/or discussion purposes only and is NOT intended to diagnose or treat any disease, illness, or other medical condition. Every individual reader or poster should seek advice from their personal physician/healthcare practitioner before considering or using any interventions that are discussed on this website. By continuing to access this website you agree to consult your personal physican before using any interventions posted on this website, and you agree to hold harmless FluTrackers.com Inc., the board of directors, the members, and all authors and posters for any effects from use of any medication, supplement, vitamin or other substance, device, intervention, etc. mentioned in posts on this website, or other internet venues referenced in posts on this website.
  • We are not asking for any donations. Do not donate to any entity who says they are raising funds for us.

CDC & White House Media Briefings on Swine Flu Epidemic

Re: CDC & White House Media Briefings on Swine Flu Epidemic

:tiphat:Fox news says the pres will talk very soon,and they will be showing it, as he has just been briefed. Haven't seen the mentioned on CNN yet.
 
Re: CDC & White House Media Briefings on Swine Flu Epidemic

USA: Obama urges public to prepare for fall wave of H1N1 (CIDRAP, edited)

Obama urges public to prepare for fall wave of H1N1

Robert Roos * News Editor
Sep 1, 2009 (CIDRAP News)


President Barack Obama warned today that a larger wave of novel H1N1 influenza is likely this fall and called on all Americans to prepare for it.

"I don't want anybody to be alarmed, but I do want everybody to be prepared," Obama said in a Rose Garden statement after a meeting with several cabinet secretaries to discuss the pandemic.

In a reference to past pandemics, he said, "We know that we usually get a second, larger wave of these flu viruses in the fall, and so response plans have been put in place across all levels of government."

Obama said the government is "making steady progress on developing a safe and effective H1N1 flu vaccine, and we expect a flu shot program will begin soon. The program will be completely voluntary, but it will be strongly recommended."

He didn't go into specifics on which groups have priority for vaccination?pregnant women, healthcare and emergency medical services workers, close contacts of babies under 6 months of age, children from 6 months to 4 years old, and older children and adolescents with risk factors for flu complications.In a separate, brief overview of H1N1 preparedness today, the White House said the vaccination program will be "available to all Americans that wish to participate over a period of time."

Federal officials have said they expect the first 45 million doses of vaccine?out of 195 million doses ordered?to become available starting in mid October.

In his statement, Obama went on to appeal to individuals and various groups to participate in preparedness efforts.

"Every American has a role to play in responding to this virus," he said. "We need state and local governments on the front lines to make antiviral medications and vaccines available, and be ready to take whatever steps are necessary to support the healthcare system. We need hospitals and healthcare providers to continue preparing for an increased patient load, and to take steps to protect healthcare workers. We need families and businesses to ensure that they have plans in place if a family member, a child, or a co-worker contracts the flu and needs to stay home."

He also urged people to learn about indiviidual risk factors and to take commonsense precautions: "Stay home if you're sick. Wash your hands frequently. Cover your sneezes with your sleeve, not your hands. And take all the necessary precautions to stay healthy. I know it sounds simple, but it's important and it works."

Finally, for people who want to learn more about this virus, please go to www.flu.gov, or talk to your doctor."

Obama's statement came 8 days after the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technolgoy (PCAST), in a lengthy report on the government's pandemic preparations, estimated that the novel virus could infect 30% to 50% of the population and cause between 30,000 and 90,000 deaths.

While generally praising the Obama adminsitration's efforts, the advisory group called on the administration to accelerate vaccine development, clarify guidelines for antiviral use, and appoint a White House point person to coordinate the government's response. Obama made no reference to the report in his statement today.
-
<cite cite="http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/swineflu/news/sep0109obama-jw.html">CIDRAP >> Obama urges public to prepare for fall wave of H1N1</cite>
 
Re: CDC & White House Media Briefings on Swine Flu Epidemic

USA. The White House - Press Office - 2009-H1N1 National Preparedness and Response Overview (Sept. 1, 2009, edited)

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

September 1, 2009

2009-H1N1 National Preparedness and Response Overview


The health and safety of the American people is the first priority of President Barack Obama.

Since the novel 2009-H1N1 flu virus emerged in the United States during the third week of April, the President has received regular briefings and asked his Cabinet to spare no effort in addressing this national security challenge. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is leading the way on public health preparedness and response efforts, the Principal Federal Official for domestic incidents, the Secretary of Homeland Security, is coordinating the supporting activities of Federal departments and agencies and facilitating response actions with State, local and territorial governments and tribal and private sector partners, while other Cabinet officials are leading complementary initiatives in their area of responsibility. It is a well-coordinated, all hands on deck approach. All Federal efforts are aimed at reducing the impact of 2009-H1N1 on the health and well-being of Americans and on the economy and functioning of society.

Key elements of our preparedness and response efforts include:

Preparing for a fall wave of H1N1 flu with great team work across the Nation

  • Implementing a National Framework for 2009-H1N1 preparedness and response, including the four pillars of surveillance, mitigation, vaccine, and communications
  • Partnering with Congress, governors, mayors, territorial and tribal officials, state and local health departments and emergency managers, the medical community, private-sector entities, and community-based groups for an effective response
  • Issuing medical, science-derived public guidance for K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, businesses and employers, and families across the country available 24/7 on www.flu.gov

Making steady progress on developing a safe, effective, and voluntary H1N1 flu vaccine

  • Preparing for a voluntary, but strongly recommended, H1N1 flu shot program to be available to all Americans that wish to participate over a period of time

Encouraging Americans to act on a shared responsibility to reduce the impact of H1N1 flu

  • Calling on individuals and families to plan for the fall flu season and to take steps to prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu

To learn more about this virus, please go to www.flu.gov or talk to your doctor.
-
<cite cite="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/2009-H1N1-National-Preparedness-and-Response-Overview/">The White House - Press Office - 2009-H1N1 National Preparedness and Response Overview</cite>
 
Re: CDC & White House Media Briefings on Swine Flu Epidemic

USA. The White House - Press Office - Remarks by the President on 2009-H1N1 National Preparedness and Response (Sept. 1, 2009, edited)

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

September 1, 2009

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON 2009-H1N1 NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

Rose Garden
2:13 P.M. EDT


THE PRESIDENT:

Good afternoon, everybody. Before I say a few words about the meeting we just had I'd like to mention some good news that came out today about our economy. For the first time in 18 months, our manufacturing sector has expanded, and the statistics used to measure manufacturing output is the highest it's been in over two years.

This means greater production of transportation equipment like cars, and electronic equipment like computers and appliances, and it means these companies are starting to invest more and produce more, and it is a sign that we're on the path to economic recovery.

There's no doubt that we have a long way to go, and I and the other members of this administration will not let up until those Americans who are looking for jobs can find them. But this is another important sign that we're heading in the right direction, and that the steps we've taken to bring our economy back from the brink are working.

Now, we just had a good meeting about our ongoing efforts to prepare this country for the H1N1 flu virus this fall. And I want to thank John Brennan, our CDC Director Tom Frieden, and Secretaries Sebelius, Napolitano, Duncan, and Locke, for all the good work that they've been doing to get us ready today.

As I said when we saw the first cases of this virus back in the spring, I don't want anybody to be alarmed, but I do want everybody to be prepared. We know that we usually get a second, larger wave of these flu viruses in the fall, and so response plans have been put in place across all levels of government. Our plans and decisions are based on the best scientific information available, and as the situation changes, we will continue to update the public.

We're also making steady progress on developing a safe and effective H1N1 flu vaccine, and we expect a flu shot program will begin soon. This program will be completely voluntary, but it will be strongly recommended.

For all that we do in the federal government, however, every American has a role to play in responding to this virus. We need state and local governments on the front lines to make antiviral medications and vaccines available, and be ready to take whatever steps are necessary to support the health care system. We need hospitals and health care providers to continue preparing for an increased patient load, and to take steps to protect health care workers. We need families and businesses to ensure that they have plans in place if a family member, a child, or a co-worker contracts the flu and needs to stay home.

And most importantly we need everyone to get informed about individual risk factors, and we need everyone to take the common-sense steps that we know can make a difference. Stay home if you're sick. Wash your hands frequently. Cover your sneezes with your sleeve, not your hands. And take all the necessary precautions to stay healthy. I know it sounds simple, but it's important and it works.

Finally, for people who want to learn more about this virus, please go to www.flu.gov, or talk to your doctor.

I want to commend every member of our team. I think we've done an extraordinary job in preparing for this flu outbreak. We anticipate that there will be some issues coming up over the next several months. The way it's moving is still somewhat unpredictable, but what I'm absolutely confident about is that our team that's assembled here has done an extraordinary job in preparing for whatever may happen.

So we appreciate all of you for being here, and I want to publicly again thank you for all your extraordinarily hard work. All right.

END
2:18 P.M. EDT
-
<cite cite="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-on-2009-H1N1-National-Preparedness-and-Response/">The White House - Press Office - Remarks by the President on 2009-H1N1 National Preparedness and Response</cite>
 
Back
Top