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Experts to answer H1N1 questions online

  • Published
  • American Forces Press Service
FALLS CHURCH, Va. --  Military Health System experts will host a Web-based town hall-style meeting from 3 to 4 p.m. EST Nov. 10 to respond to questions about H1N1 influenza.

Military members, their families, health-care providers and Defense Department civilians may submit questions starting Nov. 2, using the comments box at http://www.health.mil/flu. As many as possible of the questions submitted in advance, as well as questions asked throughout the live event, will be answered during the Web hall. Medical officials will post a transcript of all questions and answers to the site after the event.

"We want to keep servicemembers and their families informed about the H1N1 flu and the Department of Defense's vaccination strategy," said Dr. Michael E. Kilpatrick, director of strategic communications for the Military Health System.

Subject-matter experts from the Army, Navy and Air Force, the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Health Protection and Readiness, the Military Vaccine Agency, Tricare Management Activity and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are scheduled to participate.

Participants in the Web hall are asked to limit questions to H1N1 flu-related topics and to refrain from disclosing personal information, to protect their privacy. When possible, officials said, servicemembers should contact their chain of command to resolve issues.
 
The MHS is a worldwide partnership of medical educators and researchers, health-care providers and support personnel. The Defense Department enterprise consists of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs; the medical departments of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Joint Chiefs of Staff; the combatant command surgeons; and Tricare providers, including private-sector health care providers, hospitals and pharmacies.

(Information courtesy of American Forces Press Service from a Defense Department Health Affairs news release)