WASHINGTON, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- WHAT: A forum for media to hear from and interact with the nation's leading experts on challenges and issues surrounding influenza prevention and treatment. The forum will also highlight anticipated recommendations to be issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the upcoming season and provide new resources for reporters developing stories on influenza. Media may also participate via Web cast or teleconference. WHY: For the past several years, the nation's influenza seasons have been punctuated by supply and distribution issues that have drawn national attention. Despite these supply and distribution issues, vaccine doses have gone unused by the end of each recent season. In addition, while public fears of a pandemic continue to grow despite the absence of human to human transmission, paradoxically, the public lacks an understanding of the severity of seasonal influenza. This forum will provide media with an opportunity to fully understand the complex and seasonal nature of this deadly virus and the necessary public health response to address the annual 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations attributed to influenza. Topics to be addressed include: * Public health goals for seasonal influenza/vaccination and treatment recommendations * The need to improve immunization rates/vaccine delivery via immunization programs * Influenza virus surveillance and reporting * Influenza vaccine production, supply and distribution * Immunization of populations at increased risk for influenza- related complications, including children * Annual provider and consumer education efforts WHO: Reporters are encouraged to engage in the discussion, which will feature the following speakers: * Cristina V. Beato, MD, FAAFP - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services * Ray Strikas, MD - National Vaccine Program Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services * Nicole M. Smith, PhD, MPH, MPP - Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) * Jesse L. Goodman, MD, MPH - Director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration * Christine M. Layton, PhD, MPH - RTI International * George T. Curlin, MD - Office of the Director, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health * Ardis D. Hoven, MD - Board of Trustees, American Medical Association * Henry H. Bernstein, DO - Committee on Infectious Diseases, American Academy of Pediatrics * Glen Nowak, PhD - Director, Media Relations, CDC * William Schaffner, MD, (Moderator) - NFID Board Member and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine WHEN: Thursday, May 18, 2006; 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern; Lunch will be provided. WHERE: The National Press Club, 14th & F Streets, NW, 13th Floor, Peter Zenger Room; via live Web cast, http://www.ConnectLive.com/events/infectiousdiseases, or telephone, 888-424-1091. CONTACT: Jennifer Corrigan, 732-382-8898, 732-742-7148 (cell phone) or Heather Carman, 212-886-2200 to register.
Pre-registration for attendance is preferred. Journalists must present media identification or a business card issued by a recognized news organization. Freelance journalists must present a letter of assignment on letterhead from a recognized news organization and a business card.
National Foundation for Infectious DiseasesCONTACT: Jennifer Corrigan, +1-732-382-8898, +1-732-742-7148, cell phone,or Heather Carman, +1-212-886-2200
