Every fall, we deal with new strains of seasonal flu. But this year, we'll also confront a potentially serious flu virus that first appeared last spring. While scientists won't know exactly how strong the 2009 H1N1 flu will be until the middle of the flu season, they're warning it could cause more illness as our kids return to school.
We don't need to wait to act. In the fight against flu, preparation is more than half the battle - and we need everyone to chip in.
We in the federal government have been aggressively responding to the new H1N1 since April. We're building on what we learned from the early spring season and from health officials in the southern hemisphere, where flu seasons are already under way.
In addition to preparing the seasonal flu vaccine as usual, government scientists and vaccine manufacturers are working around the clock to produce a vaccine to protect people from the new H1N1 flu virus. And we're making good progress on both fronts - the seasonal flu vaccine is ready for distribution, and we're on track to have an H1N1 vaccine by mid-October.
We're also working closely with cities, states and across government agencies to make sure we have a rapid, coordinated response this fall. In the last few months, we've sent more than $350 million in federal grants to states, tribes, territories and hospitals to help them strengthen their flu response.
In early July, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Homeland Security and Education held a flu summit for governors and public health officials. Just this week, we hosted another summit for mayors and county officials and webcast it on flu.gov - which has become the best place to find up-to-date information about flu.
Our agencies are working with the Department of Agriculture to make sure children will have access to healthy meals if their schools close and with Departments of Commerce and Labor to reach people at work. The Obama administration has briefed members of Congress at a special bi-cameral, bipartisan session. And HHS has worked with members - Republicans and Democrats - on "prevent the flu" public service announcements to air in August when they're home.
But federal government efforts won't be enough. The lines of defense against the flu need to reach into every living room and kitchen.
