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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, September 16, 2009 |
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Radio PSA on H1N1 Flu Prevention Features Governor RitterDENVER – The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment this week issued a public service announcement featuring Gov. Bill Ritter sending an important message to Coloradans about how they can protect themselves and their community against 2009 H1N1 influenza. The public service announcement, also available and distributed as a television announcement, was distributed to radio stations statewide, encouraging stations to air it for their communities. Ned Calonge, the state’s chief medical officer, said, “The governor lent his voice to our H1N1 prevention campaign and we thank him. He appreciates how important it is for people to be prepared this upcoming fall and winter to avoid the flu,” said. “While it is difficult to predict how severe the H1N1 flu will be, we know there are steps people can take to protect themselves and prevent the flu from spreading.” In the public service announcement Gov. Ritter reminds Coloradans to get the recommended vaccinations. He also encourages good hygiene practices to reduce the spread of flu such as frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home from work or school when sick. “Have a plan in case your family gets sick,” he says, and, “if necessary, people may need to ask their employers or teachers if they can work from home to keep the flu from spreading to others.” Calonge cautioned Coloradans not to forget about seasonal flu amid all the discussion around H1N1, “Getting vaccinated is the single best thing people can do to protect themselves from seasonal flu. Every year an estimated 36,000 Americans die as a result of seasonal flu.” Many doctor’s offices, clinics, grocery stores, pharmacies and public health departments already have received seasonal influenza vaccine so people should plan to get their flu vaccination. The vaccine for the 2009 H1N1 flu still is being tested in clinical trials and won’t be available under mid-October or early November. To locate a local flu clinic or for more information about 2009 H1N1 influenza and seasonal influenza, visit the department’s Web site at www.colorado.gov/nofluforyou or call the Colorado Health Information Line (CoHELP) at 1-877-462-2911. ---30--- |
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