To say this has been a challenging year would be an understatement. Since the H1N1 influenza virus first hit California last April, the Immunization Branch has continued to work for and with California stakeholders to spearhead disease surveillance, keep California health care providers and local health departments well informed, and direct the ordering and distribution of H1N1 vaccine. Weekly briefing calls have helped facilitate information-sharing and provide an ongoing opportunity for local health departments and other key stakeholders to ask questions.

The Branch has worked closely with public health officials at both the state and local levels to help ensure that information is up-to-date and that initial shipments of vaccine are distributed to those facilities serving Californians at highest risk for influenza complications. Branch accomplishments during September and October include:

• CalPanFlu.org website launch, the online ordering system for California H1N1 vaccinators. Thousands of California vaccinators have registered and ordered vaccine using this online system
  
  
• CalPanFlu.org messaging to send timely information, reminders and announcements out to California vaccinators who have requested H1N1 vaccine
  
  
• H1N1 Customer Service Call Center, a help center for California health care providers to assist with vaccine ordering, shipping, and other questions. The Call Center operates weekdays from 8am to 6pm at
  
  
• H1N1 Vaccine Provider Information Packet, sent to approximately 10,000 California vaccinators across the state with up-to-date information and materials for medical personnel and their patients.
  
  
• Updated information on EZIZ.org, featuring a dedicated page with resources to help your practice prepare for receiving, storing, and administering H1N1 vaccine.  New H1N1 materials are listed in the New Educational Materials and Online Resources section of this edition of the IZ Update.

The Branch is grateful for the collaboration and patience of many thousands of California vaccinators during this historic influenza pandemic. Together, our goal will be to minimize the impact of influenza disease on all Californians.  The Immunization Branch continues to be committed to respond to the challenges of influenza prevention through the coming year.