Experts say chances of a deadly worldwide outbreak of flu are increasing. The United States Department of Health and Human Services is in the process of preparing to reduce the impact of a pandemic influenza in the United States. The U.S. government is working to secure an adequate supply of vaccine for pandemic flu. In case of an outbreak, vaccine will be distributed according to predetermined priorities. Determining these priorities is a
difficult task.

A web engagement dialogue was held on December 4-6, 2007.  It sought to obtain public input from people throughout the U.S. on the government’s ten pandemic influenza vaccination goals. Participants discussed this critical health issue with public health officials as well as shared and voted on recommendations for revisions to the proposed draft guidance.  You can review the discussion summaries linked to each day's agenda. Dialogue participants' comments and suggestions were received.  All are being considered, along with other information, as the government refines the proposed guidance for distributing a limited supply of vaccine at time of a pandemic in the United States.

http://www.webdialogues.net/cs/panflu-engage-home/view/di/104?x-t=home.view

The public meetings are being sponsored by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), and The Keystone Center, in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as local state and county health departments. [Updated November 5, 2007]

REGISTRATION for Milwaukee, Wisconsin Public Meeting
When: Saturday, November 10, 2007
Where: The Miller Pavilion, O'Donnell Park, 910 E. Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Time: from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. (Registration begins at 7:30 am)

MAP: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?email=1&mapdat

TO REGISTER ON-LINE: http://tinyurl.com/3abm3w

TO REGISTER BY PHONE: call Niki Koszalka at 1-800-219-6670 or

TO REGISTER BY PHONE: Print form and fax to Johanna at 970-262-0152

Participating Organizations: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) | National Association of County & City Health Officials (NACCHO) | The Keystone Center | Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) | City of Milwaukee Health Department | Wisconsin Division of Public Health

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REGISTRATION for Henderson County, North Carolina Meeting
When: Saturday, November 17, 2007
Where: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 900 Blythe Street, Hendersonville, NC 28791
Time: from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Registration begins at 8:00 am.

TO REGISTER ON-LINE: http://tinyurl.com/2wbhzy

TO REGISTER BY PHONE: call Niki Koszalka at 1-800-219-6670 or at fax 970-262-0152

TO REGISTER BY PHONE: Print form and fax to Johanna at 970-262-0152

Participating Organizations: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) | National Association of County & City Health Officials (NACCHO) | The Keystone Center | Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) | North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services |
Henderson County Department of Public Health

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Because pandemic influenza won’t respond to seasonal influenza vaccines, a new vaccine will have to be developed to protect people.

And when the vaccine becomes available, the amount that is made each month will be limited.

Therefore, a priority list will be needed to determine who gets vaccinated earlier and who gets vaccinated later.