Military Health System to Host H1N1 Web Hall

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – The Military Health System (MHS) is hosting a one-hour Web-based town hall on Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. EST to answer questions about novel H1N1 influenza.

Military service members, their families, health care providers and Department of Defense civilians began submitting questions Nov. 2 using the comments box at http://www.health.mil/flu. During the Web hall, experts will answer as many of the questions submitted in advance and throughout the live event as possible. 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 MHS. “We want to answer your questions directly, so please join us online on Nov. 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.

Participate in the Web hall.

For more information about H1N1and other seasonal flu conditions, beneficiaries should contact their health care provider or visit the TRICARE Web site. Connect with the MHS through its Social Media Hub.

About TRICARE Management Activity and the Military Health System
TRICARE Management Activity, the Defense Department activity that administers the health care plan for the uniformed services, retirees and their families, serves more than 9.5 million eligible beneficiaries worldwide in the Military Health System (MHS). The mission of the MHS is to enhance Department of Defense and national security by providing health support for the full range of military operations. The MHS provides quality medical care through a network of providers, military treatment facilities, medical clinics and dental clinics worldwide.