MHS to Answer H1N1 Questions Online

  • Published
  • By Charlene Reynolds
  • DoD Military Health System
The Military Health System (MHS) will host a Web-based town hall on Nov. 10 from 3 to 4 p.m. EST to respond to questions about novel H1N1 influenza.

     Military service members, their families, and health care providers and Department of Defense civilians may submit questions starting today, Nov. 2, using the comments box at 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. A transcript of all questions and answers will be posted to the site after the event.

     "We want to keep service members and their families informed about the H1N1 flu and the Department of Defense's vaccination strategy," said Michael E. Kilpatrick, M.D., director of strategic communications for the Military Health System. "We want to answer your questions directly, so please join us online on November 10."

     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 in the Web hall to provide accurate, up-to-date information about the H1N1 flu and vaccine.

     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, service members should contact their chain of command to resolve issues.

     Media are encouraged to submit queries to the MHS press office directly.

     To participate in the Web hall, visit: www.health.mil/flu

     Connect with the MHS through its Social Media Hub at www.health.mil/connect.

     America's Military Health System is a unique partnership of medical educators, medical researchers, and health care providers and their support personnel worldwide. This DoD 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).