EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University Extension will support Michigan’s H1N1 inoculation program by mobilizing its statewide network to reach the most vulnerable residents across Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Community Health called on MSU Extension, with offices in 82 counties, to help quickly spread the word about the importance of vaccination.

"The MSU Extension plays a very important role in educating our public about the seasonal and H1N1 flu and how people can help prevent the spread of the virus," said Janet Olszewski, director of the Michigan Department of Community Health.  "We appreciate the partnership we have with the extension for our outreach efforts."

Extension’s presence throughout Michigan uniquely positions it to reach those most in need of immunizations, said Jeffrey Armstrong, dean of the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. 

“MSU Extension staff members and volunteers already have relationships established with most of the groups targeted for immediate vaccination,” Armstrong said. “We’re already in contact with people working with children and youth, pregnant women and other at-risk populations through programs such as the Breast Feeding Initiative, daycare provider training, nutrition education and 4-H. It just makes sense to use the resources MSU Extension already has in place to get out a message as important as this.”

State health authorities recommend the first people to receive the vaccine should be: pregnant women; those having regular contact with children younger than 6 months old; health care and emergency medical services personnel; all people from 6 months through 24 years old; and those 25 through 65 years old with underlying health conditions.

Supporting public health programs is part of the mission of service for MSU. A year ago it was a designated community liaison for the five Michigan counties selected to participate in the National Institutes of Health’s National Children’s Study. Aimed at uncovering the causes of autism, cerebral palsy and asthma, the project will bring more than $70 million in research dollars into the state.

"The Ingham County MSU Extension office has been highly responsive to the changing landscape of public health challenges in our community,” noted Ingham Medical Director Dean Sienko. “From H1N1 control to neighborhood vegetable markets to chronic disease prevention, MSU Extension is a key partner of the Ingham County Health Department."

For up-to-date information on seasonal and H1N1 influenza, visit www.michigan.gov/flu.

###

Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research and outreach for more than 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 17 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving.