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Contact: Rocky Merz 513-368-1620
Cincinnati Health Department
3101 Burnet Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45229

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2010

Cincinnati Health Department and Metro Partner to Offer Free Flu Vaccine—Raise Awareness

CINCINNATI –Fortunately, nationally and locally H1N1 flu activity remains low, however it is still circulating and is expected to be the dominant virus of the 2010-2011 flu season. Now is the time to protect yourself and your family. A highly effective vaccine is available at no charge and large numbers of Americans have not yet received it. It is not too late to be immunized.

The Cincinnati Health Department is partnering with Metro to raise awareness and offer free H1N1 vaccination on Government Square during the Reds Civil Rights Game weekend of events.

When: May 15th 3-7pm
Where: Government Square (On 5th Street at Walnut, next to Fountain Square), Area D
What: Metro bus offering H1N1 vaccine and information at no charge
Who: Everyone. Especially those less than 24 years old, pregnant women and seniors

In addition to immunizations being offered at Government Square, Metro drivers around the City will be wearing shirts to raise awareness about the importance of being vaccinated. This event is one of several being organized by a coalition of local health departments charged with the task of informing and immunizing members of groups of the population who are in need of vaccination and remain at high risk of contracting the disease.

These groups include those under 24 years old (including children less than 10 who are required to have two doses separated by three weeks in order to be fully protected), pregnant women, those of any age with chronic conditions and seniors. The local coalition of health departments receiving dollars from the State of Ohio to support these activities as part of the Public Health Emergency Response Phase IV (PHER IV) program include the cities of Cincinnati, Norwood, Springdale and Sharonville. Around the country, 21 states, including six jurisdictions in Ohio, are participating in the PHER IV program.

All forms of the H1N1 vaccine are being produced with the identical process used successfully for years for seasonal flu. Local, state and federal health agencies continue to monitor for adverse reactions from the vaccine and to date no serious or unusual side effects have been observed. Additional vaccine safety information from CDC is available here: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_safety.htm

For more information and updates:

• Visit: www.cincinnati-oh.gov (click “H1N1 Flu Info” on the top right)
• Follow the Cincinnati Health Department on twitter at: www.twitter.com/CinciHealthDept
• www.cdc.gov