BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Amid all the hubbub over H1N1 (swine) flu, are you still on the fence about getting a flu vaccination?  Flu experts from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Southern Research Institute have answers. The two institutions are combining for a community presentation called "Why do YOU Need a Flu Shot? The Importance of the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine." The Friday, Oct. 9 session will provide the latest information on flu shots - how they work, are they safe and who should get them.

The featured presenter is Diane Noah, Ph.D., senior project leader at Southern Research and one of the team of scientists testing the safety of H1N1 flu vaccines. The event will be moderated by Sadis Matalon, Ph.D., vice chair for research and professor in the UAB Department of Anesthesiology. Matalon also is director of the UAB Pulmonary Injury and Repair Center, the event sponsor.

The seminar will runs from noon to 1 p.m. the day of the event in the first floor conference room of the Biomedical Research Building II, 901 19th St. South. Lunch will be available as supplies last, beginning at 11:45 a.m. Seating is limited. Contact Teri Potter, seminar coordinator, at 934-4231 or tpotter@uab.edu for more information.

About UAB

UAB is the state of Alabama's largest employer and an internationally renowned research university and academic health center whose professional schools and specialty patient care programs are consistently ranked as among the nation's top 50. The UAB Health System includes all of the University of Alabama at Birmingham's patient care activities, including UAB Hospital, the Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital and The Kirklin Clinic. Find more information at www.uab.edu and www.uabmedicine.org.

About Southern Research

Southern Research Institute is a nonprofit 501(c)3 scientific research organization that conducts preclinical drug discovery and development and advanced engineering research. Its more than 550 scientific and engineering team members support clients and partners in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, defense, aerospace, environmental and energy industries. Southern Research is headquartered in Birmingham with facilities in Wilsonville and Anniston, as well as Frederick, Md., and Durham, N.C., and offices in New Orleans and Washington, D.C. For more information about Southern Research and its capabilities and accomplishments, visit www.SouthernResearch.org.