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"Flu Free and a Mom-to-Be" Receives Influenza Vaccine Summit Immunization Excellence Award

Industry Recognition Underscores Importance of Educating Pregnant Women About Influenza (Flu) Vaccination

Washington, DC - "Flu-Free and a Mom-to-Be: Protect Yourself, Protect Your Baby, Get a Flu Shot!," an educational campaign geared towards increasing awareness of influenza vaccination in pregnant women, was awarded the National Influenza Vaccine Summit Immunization Excellence Award - 2008-2009 Corporate Campaign. Launched by the National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) and supported by an educational grant from CSL Biotherapies, the "Flu Free and a Mom-to-Be" program focuses on providing tips and information about the flu vaccine for women who are pregnant or planning to conceive during the flu season.


"The National Women's Health Resource Center is dedicated to educating women on issues that can impact their health during their lifetime," said Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, RN, executive director of NWHRC. "Influenza vaccination is a public health priority and this award highlights the value of campaigns like 'Flu Free and a Mom-to-Be' in arming women with the information they need to make informed decisions."

"Flu Free and a Mom-to-Be" is a motivational campaign designed to encourage pregnant women to protect themselves and their unborn child by getting a flu shot. Pregnant women are considered a priority group for influenza vaccination by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) because of health risks it poses to moms-to-be. Selection for the award was based upon the organizations' outreach efforts through media, communities, coalitions and involvement of other stakeholders to deliver the message to mothers-to-be regarding the importance of influenza vaccination. The "Flu Free and a Mom-to-Be" campaign reached more than 82 million individuals via print, online and broadcast outlets and nearly 30,000 healthcare professional and their patients via a direct mail distribution.

"As a nursing organization representing professionals dedicated to women's health, AWHONN recognizes the role we and partner organizations play in providing nurses and the women they serve with the support and information they need," said Catherine Ruhl, CNM, MS, associate director of women's health programs at AWHONN. "We're pleased with the recognition this campaign has received and look forward to continuing efforts to eliminate barriers to vaccination for pregnant women during the upcoming flu season."

"At CSL Biotherapies, we're committed to addressing unmet public health needs in influenza," said Paul Perreault, Executive Vice President of CSL Biotherapies Worldwide Commercial Operations. "Recognition such as the National Influenza Vaccine Summit Award highlights the importance of improving influenza vaccination rates among pregnant women and new mothers and we're pleased to have supported NWHRC and AWHONN on this initiative."

The National Influenza Vaccine Summit is co-sponsored by the American Medical Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The award presentation was held during the CDC's National Immunization Conference on Monday, March 30, 2009. In addition, NWHRC will present the program to attendees of the National Influenza Vaccine Summit meeting to be held on May 18-20, 2009.

For more information about the Flu-Free and a Mom-to-Be and to learn more about the latest developments in women's health and wellness, healthywomen.org.

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About NWHRC
The not-for-profit National Women's Health Resource Center is the leading independent health information source for women. NWHRC develops and distributes up-to-date and objective women's health information based on the latest advances in medical research and practice, all of which is reviewed by leading medical specialists in the field. NWHRC believes all women should have access to the most trusted and reliable health information. Information empowers women to make the best decisions to maintain and improve their health and the health of their families. For more information, visit fmxhosting.com/drupal635.

About Association of Women's Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) is the foremost nursing authority that advances the health care of women and newborns through advocacy, research and the creation of high quality, evidence-based standards of care. AWHONN's 23,000 members worldwide are clinicians, educators and executives who serve as patient care advocates focusing on the needs of women and infants.

A leader in professional development, AWHONN is the first and only association to be awarded the designation Premier Provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for innovation and excellence in Continuing Nursing Education.

In 2009 AWHONN celebrates its 40th anniversary of promoting the health of women and newborns. Founded in 1969 as the Nurses Association of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the association became a separate nonprofit organization called the Association of Women's Health and Neonatal Nurses in 1993. For more information visit www.awhonn.org.

About CSL Biotherapies
The U.S. headquarters of CSL Biotherapies are located in King of Prussia, Pa. Its parent company, CSL Limited, in Melbourne, Australia, operates one of the world's largest thimerosal-free influenza vaccine facilities for global markets. CSL Biotherapies, which shares its U.S. headquarters with its sister company, CSL Behring, is commercializing influenza vaccine products globally.

At CSL Biotherapies, delivering vaccines is our mission, protecting lives our passion. The CSL Group, which also includes CSL Research & Development, CSL Bioplasma, and CSL Behring, has more than 9,000 employees and operates in 27 countries worldwide. For more information, visit us at https://www.cslbiotherapies-us.com, or call 1-888-435-8633.

Contact: Candace Jones
703-436-4951

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