Via Medpage, federal agencies including the FDA and CDC are attempting to counter public concerns about the safety of the H1N1 vaccine via an outreach to health-care professionals.

Earlier this year, FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg sent a letter to physicians in which she attested to the safety of the vaccines, but also asked doctors to report any adverse side effects.

In her letter, Hamburg said, “Some of your patients may be asking how the FDA, the manufacturers, and the scientific community can have confidence in vaccines that were available just six months after the 2009 H1N1 virus emerged. Understanding more about the manufacturing and approval process for these vaccines should help you to answer their questions.”

She also described the development process and testing of the vaccine.

Last week, the CDC sent a similar letter to state and local health officials.