Teaming Up with Olympians to Fight H1N1

January 5, 2010

Guest blog by Dr. Regina Benjamin, U.S. Surgeon General

Next month, the 2010 Olympic Winter Games will begin in Canada. The world's top athletes will gather in Vancouver, along with spectators from across the globe. These Games inspire all Americans to be physically active and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

One immediate step that you can take to protect your health is to get your H1N1 flu vaccination. Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls training for Vancouver are doing just that.  Today, athletes, coaches, and staff who are Vancouver bound are getting vaccinated against the H1N1 flu at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the 2010 U.S. Cross Country Championships in Anchorage, Alaska. We urge all Americans to do the same and get their H1N1 vaccine.

Bob Morris, U.S. Weightlifting Coach, receiving flu vaccine. Photo Courtesy of USOC, Chris Coleman.

As a doctor, I've treated patients during many flu seasons. Unfortunately, H1N1 has already made the 2009-2010 flu season one of the most challenging in recent memory. Ninety-nine percent of the flu that is making people sick in the U.S. is H1N1. Even though H1N1 is decreasing in some areas, the flu is unpredictable – we could see more illness as flu season continues.

Dr. Ned Calonge, Colorado Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Regina Benjamin, U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Anne Schuchat, Assistant U.S. Surgeon General, Director of CDC National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, and Norman Bellingham, U.S. Olympic Committee Chief Operating Officer and Olympic medalist. Photo Courtesy of USOC, Chris Coleman.

The H1N1 vaccine is safe, effective, and is the best way to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the flu.

To find a clinic near you, visit our vaccine locator tool which will guide you to the nearest H1N1 vaccination location.