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November 20, 2009
*DON'T FORGET THE FLU!!*
During and After Your Trip
During your trip, follow local guidelines and practice healthy habits
- Pay attention to announcements from the local government and monitor the local health and security situation.
- Follow any movement restrictions and prevention recommendations.
- Wash your hands often with soap and running water, especially after coughing or sneezing. (Use alcohol-based hand gels- containing at least 60% alcohol- when soap is not available and hands are not visibly dirty.)
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and put your used tissue in the trash. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
October 30, 2009
*Key Facts About 2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccine (CDC)*
A flu vaccine is the single best way to protect against influenza illness. This season, there is a seasonal flu vaccine to protect against seasonal flu viruses and a 2009 H1N1 vaccine to protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (sometimes called "swine flu"). This page contains information about the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine.
There are two kinds of 2009 H1N1 vaccines being produced:
- A 2009 H1N1 "flu shot" - an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The indications for who can get the 2009 H1N1 flu shot are the same as for seasonal flu shots. The flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. The same manufacturers who produce seasonal flu shots are producing 2009 H1N1 flu shots for use in the United States this season. The 2009 H1N1 flu shot is being made in the same way that the seasonal flu shot is made.
- The 2009 H1N1 nasal spray flu vaccine - a vaccine made with live, weakened viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for "live attenuated influenza vaccine"). The indications for who can get the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine are the same as for seasonal nasal spray vaccine. LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant. The nasal spray vaccine for use in the United States is being made by MedImmune, the same company that makes the seasonal nasal spray vaccine called "FluMist®." The 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine is being made in the same way as the seasonal nasal spray vaccine.
About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection will develop in the body. The 2009 H1N1 vaccine will not protect against seasonal influenza viruses.
When to Get Vaccinated
Vaccination against 2009 H1N1 should begin as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, into December, January, and beyond. This is because the timing and duration of flu activity can vary. Flu seasons can last as late as April or May. By early October 2009, extensive 2009 H1N1 flu activity was being reported in the United States. It's possible that there may be waves of 2009 H1N1 activity during the 2009-2010 flu season that hit communities more than once over the course of the season. While 2009 H1N1 viruses are likely to be the most common cause of influenza this season, CDC still expects that seasonal influenza viruses will circulate and continues to recommend that people get a seasonal flu vaccine to protect against seasonal flu viruses. The ACIP has issued separate recommendations on who should get the 2009-10 seasonal vaccine.
Vaccine Supply
The U.S. government has purchased 250 million doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, so anyone who wants to get the vaccine will have the opportunity to do so. Vaccine will be made available as quickly as possible as it rolls off the production lines, so initially, the vaccine will be available in limited quantities.
Who Should Get Vaccinated
CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel made up of medical and public health experts, met July 29, 2009, to make recommendations on who should receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. While the federal government has purchased enough vaccine so that anyone who wants to get vaccinated can, ACIP's statement on the "Use of Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine" recommends that vaccination efforts should focus first on people in five target groups who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 influenza or related complications, are likely to come in contact with influenza viruses as part of their occupation and could transmit influenza viruses to others in medical care settings, or are close contacts of infants younger than 6 months (who are too young to be vaccinated). These five target groups make up an estimated 159 million people in the United States.
Initial Target Groups Are:
When vaccine is first available, ACIP recommends that programs and providers administer vaccine to people in the following five target groups (order of target groups does not indicate priority):
No shortage of 2009 H1N1 vaccine is expected, but vaccine availability and demand can be unpredictable and initially the vaccine may be available in limited quantities. Because the amount of vaccine available at first will be small, the ACIP also made recommendations regarding which people within the groups listed above should be prioritized if the vaccine is initially available in extremely limited quantities. For more information see the ACIP recommendations on the Use of Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine.
Once the demand for vaccine for the target groups has been met at the local level, ACIP recommends that programs and providers begin vaccinating everyone from the ages of 25 through 64 years. Current studies indicate that the risk for infection among persons 65 and older is less than the risk for younger age groups. However, once vaccine demand among younger age groups has been met, ACIP recommends that programs and providers should offer vaccination to people 65 or older. The ACIP has issued separate recommendations on who should get the 2009-10 seasonal vaccine.
Who Should Not Be Vaccinated
There are some people who should not get any flu vaccine without first consulting a physician. These include:
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
- People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
- People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously. (For information, see General Questions and Answers on Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).
- Children younger than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for this age group), and
- People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.)
Vaccine Effectiveness
The ability of a flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or "match" between the viruses or virus in the vaccine and those in circulation. CDC analyzes circulating inflluenza viruses on an ongoing basis to determine how closely matched they are to vaccine viruses and publishes the information weekly in FluView. In addition, every year CDC monitors vaccine effectiveness. For more information about flu vaccine effectiveness, see How Well Does the Seasonal Vaccine Work?
Vaccine Side Effects (What to Expect)
The same side effects typically associated with the seasonal flu shot and the seasonal nasal spray vaccine are expected with the 2009 H1N1 flu shot and 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine.
These are:
- The flu shot: The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur are:
- Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
- Fever (low grade)
- Aches
If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot, are usually mild, and usually last 1 to 2 days. Almost all people who receive influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it. However, on rare occasions, flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions.
- The nasal spray: The viruses in the nasal-spray vaccine are weakened and do not cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. (In clinical studies, transmission of vaccine viruses to close contacts has occurred only rarely.)
In children, side effects from LAIV can include:
- runny nose
- wheezing
- headache
- vomiting
- muscle aches
- fever
In adults, side effects from LAIV can include
- runny nose
- headache
- sore throat
- cough
For more information about vaccine side effects and safety see General Questions and Answers on 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Safety.
October 27, 2009
*Attention Paul Smith's College Community*
We are ready to start administering the H1N1 vaccine. Health Services focus groups will be the campus population that fit within the following criteria:
- 24 years of age and under
- 25-64 years of age with underlying medical conditions (i.e. Asthma, diabetes)
To ensure faster service, please visit Health Services Tuesdays or Thursdays to receive your vaccination.
-Health Services
October 13, 2009
*Attention Paul Smith's College Community*
I trust that you all had enjoyed our extended weekend and are refreshed and ready to tackle your academics once again. During these extended weekends a number of our student and professional community often travel outside of Paul Smith’s to visit friends and family, or perhaps just find a change of scenery. It comes after these trips when we must continue to be aware on how we are feeling as regards to our health. If you begin to notice that you may have developed any flu-like symptoms please remember to visit Student Health Services located on the ground floor at the Student Center. Flu-like symptoms can be composed of the following:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Chills
- Extreme tiredness
- Dry cough
- Runny nose may also occur but is more common in children than adults
- Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, may also occur but are more common in children than adults
As always you should be practicing and promoting safer hygiene such as:
- Hand Washing
- Covering your coughs in your arm
- Keep your room clean
- Get plenty of rest
- Use the hand sanitizers as often as you may need
To find out what your personal hygiene IQ is, follow this link http://www.5thguy.com/hygiene.htm
I would like to applaud our student community for treating our H1N1 response plan with the importance and attention it so deserves. You have all, thus far, done a wonderful job self reporting any symptoms to Student Health Services and opting to Self Isolate to help reduce the risk of spreading any flu like symptoms to our neighbors. We continue to ask for and appreciate your support!!
*NOTE*
Student Health Services would also like to remind the community that Paul Smith's College will be obtaining the H1N1 flu vaccine shortly. Please be sure to check your email often for more information.
September 23, 2009
*Attention Paul Smith's College Community*
On the evening of Saturday 9/19/2009 a member of our Paul Smith's College student community had reported flu-like symptoms to Paul Smith's College Department of Campus Safety. Following the flu pandemic plan, the student was placed in self-isolation within Alumni Hall until the student could be evaluated by Student Health Services. As of Monday 9/21/09 the student has been evaluated and cleared by Student Health Services
We continue to urge each member of our community, resident, commuter, or otherwise, to promptly report any flu-like symptoms to Student Health Services (X- 6319) or Campus Safety (X-6300). Symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhea. All members of the Paul Smith's College community should continue to follow the preventative measures of good hygiene as listed below.
Routine Hygiene Practices
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.
- Be sure to place your mouth and nose to your upper arm as you sneeze of cough. If you do sneeze of cough into a tissue, please discard it immediately.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Practice social distancing of six feet to help prevent the spread of germs through casual conversation.
September 4, 2009
Dear Parents, Families and Friends,
Like colleges and universities all over the U.S., Paul Smith's College is monitoring the H1N1 situation on our campus closely, but no cases are presently suspected here. Our hope is to maintain an H1N1-free environment as long as possible through increased education and outreach, vigilance and thorough planning.
Students, faculty, and staff have been provided CDC-approved information on how to reduce the risk of contracting the H1N1 flu and on preventing its spread. Additional steps have been taken to maintain heightened levels of hygiene in dining facilities, public gathering spaces, classrooms and labs, restrooms, the Fitness Center, and other high traffic areas.
Paul Smith's College has been making preparations all summer. It would be unrealistic to think that we can entirely escape this virus, and consequently, we expect H1N1 to show up on campus sooner or later. Ill students will be separated from the general population. Comfortable accommodations are ready and plans are in place to deliver all the care most students will need.
Should a student require medical attention beyond what is routinely required for this virus, the College's Office of Student Health Services has access to the resources of the Adirondack Medical Center, a full-service hospital located in Saranac Lake.
For most patients, the illness rarely lasts longer than two or three days. In most cases, the amount of school work students miss will be manageable. Our faculty will work with students to get them back up to speed once they are able.
We urge you to stay informed by checking the website often. Should an emergency arise, a heightened alert will be posted on the College's website homepage.
Sincerely,
John W. Mills, Ph.D.
President
You can see more information at the following links:
Fight the Flu
What to Do
http://www.flu.gov
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/influenza/h1n1/
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