Seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccines update, Sept. 18, 2009

The UWM Pandemic Planning and Response Team has updated information about the vaccine that is available for seasonal flu and will be available for H1N1 flu.

SEASONAL FLU VACCINE UPDATE

National, state and local public health authorities recommend getting a seasonal flu vaccine as early as possible this flu season. In support of this recommendation we advise community members to take advantage of local resources that are offering flu vaccines right now:

**Walgreens Take Care Clinic at 1400 E. Brady St. provides the flu vaccine on weekdays (8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.) and weekends (9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) for $24.95.

**Other Walgreens locations provide the flu vaccine daily in September from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Clinic details can be found at:

http://www.walgreens.com/topic/flu/flu_shots_faq.jsp

**Aurora Shoo the Flu clinics provide flu shots starting Sept. 29 for $30. Clinic details can be found at:

http://www.aurorahealthcare.org/services/vna/shooflu/index.asp

UWM Seasonal Flu Vaccine Clinics have been set for Oct. 12, 14-15. The clinics will run as supply allows. Vaccines cost $10 for students and $20 for faculty and staff. Due to anticipated high demand this year, UWM will not be opening clinics to surrounding community members.

Many primary healthcare providers are also giving flu shots currently. Those who have health insurance should check their coverage to see if the vaccine is covered.

Individuals should not wait to get a seasonal flu vaccine, especially if they have a high-risk medical condition, such as asthma or diabetes. Who should get a seasonal flu vaccine? See the recommendations at:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm

UWM students who have a high-risk medical condition are encouraged to contact their primary medical provider or the Norris Health Center Office of Health Promotion and Wellness at 229-6668 for seasonal flu vaccine information.


H1N1 FLU VACCINE UPDATE

H1N1 vaccines, which were approved Sept. 17 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, are a critical part of the national strategy to reduce illness and transmission of H1N1 virus. Prioritization groups have been established that include people ages 5-24, as well as individuals in other high-risk groups.

Details of these groups can be found at:

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm

More than 21,000 UWM students fall into the priority group based on age alone.

UWM is participating in the regional planning under way for H1N1 vaccine clinics in our community.

We have pre-registered with the state to receive a supply of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine and have reserved dates during the first two weeks of November to provide free H1N1 vaccines in the UWM Union if supplies are available.

UWM H1N1 Vaccine Clinics would be open to UWM community members who meet the criteria set by state and national health officials. More information is available at:

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm

Please visit our flu Website – http://www.flu.uwm.edu – for the most up-to-date information about the flu, including our updated FAQ at:

http://emergency.uwm.edu/pdf/h1n1_faq.pdf

UWM H1N1 flu update for students, Sept. 8, 2009

To UWM students:

With a case of H1N1 flu on the UWM campus and more sure to follow, students need to take precautions and make plans.

The best first step? Bookmark http://flu.uwm.edu and become a frequent visitor.

At the site, you will find the latest news and most complete set of instructions written especially for UWM students.

Particularly useful is the document “What You Can Do About the Flu”:
http://emergency.uwm.edu/pdf/what_do_flu.pdf

It contains insights about precautions and planning, and what to do should you get the flu. Key points include:

• Keep washing your hands frequently with soap and/or a hand-sanitizing gel.


• Go home if you have flu-like symptoms (usually a fever of 100 degrees or more, and a cough or sore throat). Stay at home for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever or signs of a fever. For most people, this will be three to five days, and they will recover fully on their own without medical treatment.


• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, and not into your hands.


• Consider getting the H1N1 vaccine and the seasonal influenza vaccine as they become available either through your healthcare provider or vaccine clinics on campus.


• If you are home with the flu, contact your professor or instructor to discuss provisions to make up missed coursework or exams.

Please continue to monitor http://flu.uwm.edu – you can learn about updates as they are posted by following uwmsafety on Twitter – and watch your e-mail in box for more H1N1 information specifically written for UWM students.

--The UWM Pandemic Planning and Response Team

UWM H1N1 flu update for faculty and Staff, Sept. 8, 2009

Sept. 8, 2009

To UWM faculty and staff:

With a case of H1N1 flu on the UWM campus and more sure to follow, everyone needs to take precautions and make plans.

The best first step? Bookmark http://flu.uwm.edu and become a frequent visitor.

At the site, you will find the latest news and most complete set of instructions written especially for UWM students. Much of it applies to faculty and staff, too.

Particularly useful is the document “What You Can Do About the Flu”:
http://emergency.uwm.edu/pdf/what_do_flu.pdf

It contains insights about precautions and planning, and what to do should you get the flu. Key points include:

• Keep washing your hands frequently with soap and/or a hand-sanitizing gel.


• Go home if you have flu-like symptoms (usually a fever of 100 degrees or more, and a cough or sore throat). Stay at home for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever or signs of a fever. For most people, this will be three to five days, and they will recover fully on their own without medical treatment.


• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, and not into your hands.


• Consider getting the H1N1 vaccine and the seasonal influenza vaccine from your healthcare provider.


• If you are home with the flu, contact your department chair or supervisor.

Please continue to monitor http://flu.uwm.edu – you can learn about updates as they are posted by following uwmsafety on Twitter – and watch your e-mail in box for more H1N1 information specifically written for UWM.

--The UWM Pandemic Planning and Response Team