The U.S  government is doing what it can to prepare for the possibility of a pandemic illness, said President Barack Obama as he declared the H1N1 virus a national emergency.

The 2009 H1N1 pandemic continues to evolve. The rates of illness continue to rise rapidly within many communities across the nation, and the potential exists for the pandemic to overburden health care resources in some localities,” Obama said in a statement.

“Thus, in recognition of the continuing progression of the pandemic, and in further preparation as a nation, we are taking additional steps to facilitate our response.”

The emergency declaration allows the government and health care professionals to allow for more vaccinations.

TAGS: flu, H1N1, safety, vaccination

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