President Obama declared the swine flu outbreak a national emergency, giving his health chief the power to let hospitals move emergency rooms offsite to speed treatment and protect noninfected patients.
The declaration, signed on Oct. 23 and announced Oct. 24, comes with the disease more prevalent than ever in the country and production delays undercutting the government's initial, optimistic estimates that as many as 120 million doses of the vaccine could be available by mid-October.
Health authorities say more than 1,000 people in the United States, including almost 100 children, have died from the strain of flu known as H1N1, and 46 states have widespread flu activity. So far, only 11 million doses have gone out to health departments, doctor's offices and other providers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius now has authority to bypass federal rules when opening alternative care sites, if hospitals seek permission.
Attached below you will find a Fact Sheet with Q/A provided by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) that may be helpful in addressing specific questions on the recent emergency declaration. If you have further questions, contact Joyce Pearson at (800) 289-8884, (601) 368-3228 or jpearson@mhanet.org.
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