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Date:  April 29, 2009
For Release:  Immediately
Contact:  HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343


Headline:  Sebelius, Napolitano, Besser to Host Webcast on 2009 H1N1
Flu, Answers Questions from the American People

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Homeland Security
Secretary Janet Napolitano and Acting Director of the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Rich Besser will host a Webcast to
answer questions and provide information directly to the American people
regarding the 2009 H1N1 flu on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. EDT. The Webcast
can be viewed at http://www.hhs.gov and http://www.cdc.gov

"At times like this, clear accurate information is one of the most
powerful tools we have and we look forward to answering questions and
speaking directly to the American people," said Secretary Sebelius. "Our
administration believes in using new methods to engage the American
people and ensure they can speak directly to their public officials.
This Webcast is an important part of that effort."

"It's imperative that the American people know exactly what their
government is doing, and exactly what they can do themselves to mitigate
the spread of this virus," said Secretary Napolitano. "Everyone has a
part to play in this, and it's important that the lines of
communications are open."  

Questions for the officials can be submitted by emailing
hhsstudio [bat] hhs.gov. Additional information regarding the Webcast is
included below.

WHAT:          Webcast regarding 2009 H1N1 flu virus

WHEN:          Thursday, April 30, 2009
               1:00 p.m. EDT

WHERE:       Watch the Webcast live at http://www.hhs.gov or http://www.cdc.gov
Submit questions for the Webcast by emailing hhsstudio [bat] hhs.gov
Registration for the Webcast is not required.

Please note, you will need Flash (http://www.adobe.com) installed on
your computer in order to view the live video stream.  You can test your
ability to view the Flash video stream starting at 10 a.m. EDT on
Thursday by visiting www.hhs.gov or www.cdc.gov.

NOTE:    Networks can access the Webcast via outbound fiber from VYVX:
100355

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are
available at http://www.hhs.gov/news
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Contact:  HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

Sebelius Takes Two Key Actions On Strategic National Stockpile
13 Million Treatment Courses Purchased to Replenish Stocks Sent to the
States, 400,000 Treatment Courses Deployed to Mexico
 
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today
that the Federal government will purchase an additional 13 million
treatment courses to help fight influenza, including the 2009 H1N1 flu
virus. The additional treatment courses will be added to the Strategic
National Stockpile. The Secretary also announced that HHS began moving
400,000 treatment courses to Mexico to help slow the spread of the H1N1
virus.

"As this flu virus outbreak expands across the country, we have been
taking necessary steps to ensure states have the resources they need,"
said Sebelius. "The 13 million additional treatment courses that we will
purchase will allow us to replenish our national stockpile and further
ensure we are prepared to provide the American people with the
treatments they may need to stay healthy."

HHS has stockpiled approximately 50 million courses of antiviral drugs
in the Strategic National Stockpile, and state stockpiles across the
country include an additional 23 million more treatment courses. Earlier
this week, HHS released a total of 11 million treatment courses to help
all 50 states. Today HHS began moving 400,000 treatment courses to
Mexico to help stop the spread of the virus. The 400,000 courses
represent less than 1 percent of the total American stockpile.

As a result of today's action by the Secretary, HHS will spend an
estimated $251 million to refill the Strategic National Stockpile and
replace the 11 million treatment courses offered to states and to
purchase an additional two million treatment courses. These additional
two million treatment courses will be used to replace those that have
been provided to Mexico or could also be available to respond to other
outbreak needs.  

"Flu viruses don't stop at the border, and it is imperative we do
whatever we can to slow the spread of the virus and help stop this
outbreak," said Sebelius.

HHS will make Strategic National Stockpile experts available on a
background briefing call at 7:15 PM to answer questions about today's
actions.

Time: 7:15 PM Eastern

Dial in - 1-888-324-9601

Passcode - HHS


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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are
available at http://www.hhs.gov/news
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Date:  May 1, 2009
For Release:  Immediately
Contact:  HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

Headline:  HHS Announces the Availability of TV and Radio PSAs on 2009 H1N1 Influenza TV Spot to be Satellite Fed Today

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announces the availability of television and radio public service announcements on steps people can take against 2009 H1N1 influenza.

The TV PSA, a 60-second spot featuring Acting Surgeon General Steven Galson, will be satellite fed at  2 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, May 1, 2009. The feed will be handled by the National Association of Broadcasters.

Three 30-second radio PSAs in English and another three in Spanish are available for download at a site hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The spots are in .MP3 format and are accompanied by matching live-read scripts.

WHAT:           Satellite feed of the TV PSA

WHEN:           May 1, 2009 at 2 - 2:15 p.m. E.D.T

WHERE:    Satellite coordinates are: C-Band, AMC-1 (Located at 103.0°W), Transponder C09, Analog, Downlink Frequency 3880 - Horizontal, Audio: 6.2/6.8.

The NAB has posted a broadcast quality download at this site:
https://download.yousendit.com/WnBSMFhqQ0M5RlpMWEE9PQ

The radio PSAs are available at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/psa

For questions about the radio PSAs, call HHS Public Affairs at 202-690-6343.

For questions about the TV feed or the download, call NAB Public Service Initiatives 202-429-5448.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at
http://www.hhs.gov/news
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