|
FREE H1N1 FLU SHOT CLINIC FOR STUDENTS
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2009
5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Schumo Center Atrium
The Gable Health Center has received a shipment of H1N1 vaccine and will hold a free clinic to immunize currently registered Albright students ages 17 -24 on Monday, November 16, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the Schumo Center.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has allocated 500 doses of the vaccine to Albright. Students in this age group are in a high risk group and are therefore receiving priority. As many doses of the vaccine as possible will be given at the clinic.
There are no appointments. Vaccinations will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Students must be currently registered and show an Albright student ID.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The H1N1 vaccine cannot be given to students who are sick with colds or flu-like symptoms. The vaccine is contraindicated in individuals who are allergic to eggs or have certain medical conditions. The Health Center staff will determine if the vaccine is contraindicated for you when you register for the Flu Shot Clinic. If you have had H1N1, you can still receive the vaccine.
Because of the limited number of doses of vaccine currently available, we encourage you to make an appointment for the vaccine with your family doctor if possible.
The link below will take you to a CDC fact sheet about the inactivated H1N1 vaccine http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-inact-h1n1.pdf
Please contact the Gable Health Center at x 7532 with questions about the Flu Shot Clinic, or call the Albright Hot Line 610-921-7800 for other pandemic flu information.
H1N1 Update
Many students are reporting to the Health Center with influenza-like symptoms, and based upon symptoms are being tested for H1N1. If students are testing positive, they are sent home or if unable to be sent home, housed in special housing. Most students are not testing positive for H1N1, but all students with influenza-like symptoms, are being treated in accordance with procedures outlined in the College's pandemic plan. Most cases have been mild, but the Health Center takes these illnesses seriously since students age 17-24 are in a high-risk age group for H1N1.
(Note: Because the seasonal flu has not yet emerged, the Health Center presumes that a positive result using the standard Influenza A+B testing protocol indicates the student has H1N1 and treats cases accordingly.)
The students were treated in accordance with procedures outlined in the College's pandemic plan and this is an indication that the procedures are working well. H1N1 is still a cause for concern, however, since students are in the high-risk age group. We will inform you when the Health Center is able to obtain the H1N1 vaccine.
Please take precautions to keep yourself healthy and remember to
- Wash your hands frequently
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- To decrease the spread of not only influenza, but also the bacteria and virus that causes meningitis, we strongly discourage at all times the sharing of any drinking and eating receptacles.
- Stay in good general health
- Get plenty of sleep
- Be physically active
- Manage your stress
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Eat nutritious foods.
Please watch for updates on the situation. We urge you to keep news reports in perspective. Students should contact Albright's Gable Health Center with questions and concerns.
http://www.albright.edu/resources/healthcenter/index.html
The Albright College Pandemic Planning Task Force was created in 2006 to assure Albright's readiness for a pandemic emergency. Members of all key departments on campus make up the team and created the College's comprehensive pandemic emergency response plan. The team continues to meet to monitor recent developments and issue updates.
For additional information about H1N1, visit the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
|
