Template letter or E-mail: Staying Healthy

November 4, 2009, 7:00 PM ET

• Coordinate efforts with your local health department before distributing this letter or e-mail communication to ensure that all information is timely, relevant, and accurate.
• This template can be customized and used as an announcement via e-mail, Web site, newsletter, or other creative media to reach members, service recipients and staff.
• Consider customizing this letter by using your organization’s stationery or e-mail template, inserting a name and contact information of someone community members can reach for flu questions, and adding the signature line of the president, executive director, clergy, etc.

Staying healthy

• Important Actions to Take to Stay Healthy and Prevent the Spread of Germs
  • Get vaccinated for seasonal flu as recommended. More information about seasonal flu vaccination, is available. [Insert information about vaccination clinics or other ways to get vaccinated].
  • Get the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine, if it is recommended for you. Please visit CDC's website to see if you are recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine.
• Every time you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, and throw used tissues in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hand.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand rub can be used.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.  Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are at higher risk for complications from the flu, talk to your healthcare provider about what you will need to do if you get sick.  People at higher risk for flu complications include pregnant women, children younger than 5, people 65 and older, and people with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes).  Contact [Insert name, telephone, e-mail address] if you have any questions.