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MEDIA ALERT What is it? A media alert is a brief document sent out to members of the media to alert them to an upcoming event, such as a flu clinic, press conference, or meet-and-greet. The purpose of the alert is to let the media know something is going to be happening so that they will attend and, with any luck, report on what happens. Don’t confuse a media alert with a press release. A press release is written in the form of the story you want them to write or publish, and the alert is simply to inform them of the event which you would like reported. Send out the media alert several days before the event so editors have time to assign reporters and reporters can schedule it on their calendars. Following is an example of a media alert from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases: Put your media alerts on letterhead. MEDIA ALERT: Put “Media Alert” on here, so they know it’s a notice for an event. NATION’S TOP MEDICAL EXPERTS URGE VACCINATION FOR MORE ADULTS SURVEY SHOWS DISTURBING TREND: DECREASED KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS IN YOUNGER ADULTS COULD PORTEND GRIM FUTURE FOR PREVENTIVE CARE July 18, 2009 Provide a headline and date it. For Immediate Release If it’s acceptable for the media to put an immediate blurb out, indicate that by stating: For Immediate Release. Otherwise, state: Embargoed Until (Date) (Time) News Conference to be sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases Leading infectious disease experts will address the gravity and implications of low immunization rates among American adults and call for increased awareness and uptake of vaccines at a national news conference. State what the event’s about Vaccine-preventable diseases kill more adults in the U.S. each year than breast cancer, AIDS or traffic accidents. The U.S. Adult Immunization Schedule calls for vaccination of adults against more than a dozen infectious diseases. Yet, vaccination rates among adults are markedly below Healthy People 2010 goals. Despite longstanding recommendations, too few American men and women are protected against such diseases as shingles (herpes zoster), pneumococcal disease, influenza, whooping cough (pertussis), human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B. Contributing to the problem is lack of knowledge and awareness about these diseases. A new national survey finds that knowledge and awareness are dramatically lower in younger adults (18 to 26 years), likely because this age group has had little or no personal experience with these diseases. Older adults can recall the very real impact of polio or measles or mumps. Many younger adults have never seen these diseases manifested, and therefore, have less of a sense of urgency about protection through vaccination. Experts contend this lack of awareness among younger adults may further decrease vaccine uptake, making outbreaks and endemic transmission of many diseases possible again. State why the event is important. A panel including experts from academia, government, health professional societies and the public health field will address the need to make adult vaccinations part of routine care. William Schaffner, MD, President-Elect, NFID, Program Moderator, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Anne Schuchat, MD, Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC Stanley A. Gall, MD, Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Louisville Robert H. Hopkins, MD, Associate Professor, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Cora L. Christian, MD, AARP Board of Directors Susan J. Rehm, MD, Medical Director, NFID, Cleveland Clinic Department of Infectious Diseases State who will be at the event, who is leading it, and the primary spokesperson(s). Following the panel discussion, NFID will host its 14th Richard J. Duma Annual News Conference and Symposium, providing updates on the control and prevention of infectious disease threats, including sexually transmitted diseases; infection risks at home, in the locker room and from pets; seasonal and H1N1 influenza; and food-borne disease. DATE/TIME: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time – adult immunization news conference (continental breakfast) 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – lunch provided 12:30 p.m. – Duma news conference and symposium State when the event will be held. WHERE: The National Press Club, 14th and F Streets, NW, 13th Floor, First Amendment Room, Washington D.C. 20045. (Press outside of Washington, D.C., are encouraged to attend via webcast or telephone and should call Jennifer Corrigan for log-in and dial-in details.) State where the event will be held. CONTACT: Jennifer Corrigan, 732-382-8898, 732-742-7148 (cell phone), [email protected] Contact information should be handy. Pre-registration for attendance is preferred. Journalists must present media identification or a business card issued by a recognized news organization. Freelance journalists must present a letter of assignment on letterhead from a recognized news organization and a business card. This news conference is sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and supported by unrestricted educational grants from GlaxoSmithKline, Merck & Co., Inc., sanofi pasteur and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. Include any special information/instructions that you feel will be helpful. Although NFID did not choose to do so, many groups write a boilerplate paragraph about their organization and insert it at the end. That’s it!