City to hold H1N1 vaccine clinics

City to hold H1N1 vaccine clinics

The City of Milwaukee Health Department will hold two H1N1 vaccination clinics this week:

• Thursday, November 5, 2-7 p.m., Sarah Scott Middle School, 1017 N. 12th
  St. (about 4 miles southwest of campus); and


• Friday, November 6, 4-9 p.m., South Division High School, 1515 W.
  Lapham Blvd. (about 7 miles southwest of campus).

The vaccine at the Milwaukee clinics will be given to individuals who meet the criteria set by the State Division of Public Health:

• Pregnant women
• Children ages 6 months-18 years
• Healthcare workers with direct patient contact
• Caregivers and household contacts of infants under 6 months of age

More information about these clinics is online at
http://www.milwaukee.gov/health

As of today, Wednesday, November 4, UWM has NOT received sufficient 2009 H1N1 Influenza vaccines to schedule additional campus clinics.

Eventually UWM hopes to offer H1N1 vaccinations to all students, faculty and staff. For any clinic held by UWM, there will be no charge for the vaccines.

The latest information about H1N1 flu pertinent to UWM can be found online at:
http://www.flu.uwm.edu

Information about the different types of vaccines available (flu shotand nasal spray) can be found at:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/general.htm

H1N1 Flu update: 1 p.m., Aug. 27, 2009

From the UWM Pandemic Planning and Response Team:

A flyer titled “Action Steps to Prevent the Spread of Flu” is being
distributed today for use across the UWM campus.

The one-page document, which describes four key aspects of avoiding
and/or dealing with influenza, was created by the communications
subcommittee of the team at the request of the Academic Deans Council.
The deans said they want to help broaden awareness of the flu and will
encourage all instructors to include the flyer in each course syllabus.

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) update: 6 p.m. May 7, 2009

Even though all individuals seen and tested at the UWM Norris Health Center have had negative results, the reality is the H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) is circulating in the community. There is the possibility that one or more cases of H1N1 flu will be identified within a member of our UWM community.

That said, UWM remains open and continues to expect the schedule for classes, final examinations and commencement to proceed as planned. This perspective is consistent with the evolving response strategy from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The UWM Emergency Operations Team continues to meet and today developed the following suggestions related to campus community developments:

• If you are aware of a potential case of H1N1 Flu and are concerned that you have been in contact with that individual, please contact your healthcare professional. Healthcare professionals are working with the City of Milwaukee Health Department and other local health departments. The health departments are the central repository for such information and do the case investigations. UWM health officials are in frequent contact with city health officials.
• If you are a class instructor and have particular concerns about a potential case of H1N1 Flu in a class you teach, please contact Laura Pedrick in the Office of the Provost, (414) 229-3203, lpedrick@uwm.edu. Note that in her May 5, 2009, message to the campus, Provost Rita Cheng asked faculty and staff to be flexible in dealing with flu-related absences. The City of Milwaukee Health Department is not recommending that classes or exams be canceled in the event that a student in the class is diagnosed with H1N1, and the Division of Academic Affairs asks that affected students handle makeup work or exams on an individual basis with their instructors.
• Any student who needs additional general assistance and has general questions during this time should be in touch with Office of the Dean of Students, 414-229-4632.
• Any student feeling particularly anxious about the influenza situation or in need of support at this stressful time of year should contact the Norris Health Center's Counseling Center at 414-229-4716.
• Please continue to wash your hands frequently and stay home if you have flu-like symptoms. These are the best ways to limit the spread of influenza in our community.

Swine Influenza Update 3 p.m. April 30, 2009

April 30, 2009

To All UWM Community Members,

Here is an update on Swine Influenza A (H1N1) here at UWM.

First, no cases of swine flu in UWM faculty, staff and students have been reported to us.

Second, we have activated special planning procedures designed to anticipate and respond quickly to emergencies. Campus healthcare, emergency and administrative officials are meeting frequently so that we can respond quickly to the latest guidance being provided to the campus from the City of Milwaukee Health Department and to information from other organizations.

Third, UWM has set up a website dedicated to reporting the latest UWM information related to swine flu and providing links to key public health websites:

http://www.emergency.uwm.edu/

If your family or friends are concerned about public health developments at UWM, please encourage them to monitor this website. On the site you will also find links to what should be primary external sources of reliable information: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which updates its information daily, and the City of Milwaukee Health Department.

Fourth, I want to encourage everyone to continue to practice good prevention strategies to stay healthy:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• 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.

Fifth, continue to be aware of the symptoms of swine flu, which are similar to seasonal influenza:

• fever greater than 100 degrees,
• cough,
• sore throat,
• body aches,
• headaches,
• chills and fatigue, and
• in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting

Sixth, if you have flu-like symptoms, it is important that you stay at home. Confirm that you have a fever by using a thermometer. Work with your regular physician, if at all possible. Also, it is important to call your health care provider BEFORE going to a healthcare facility.

The City of Milwaukee has a hotline that is available at 414-286-3616, and we encourage you to call that number, and not Norris Health Center, for general information.

Please know that at the Norris Health Center, we are focusing on our response to swine flu. We are asking students who have routine or long term medical problems to wait to call or schedule an appointment. Norris may need to further restrict appointments for visits as this situation evolves. We may not be able to respond as promptly to needs beyond swine flu.

We also ask that if you have flu-like symptoms to call Norris at 414-229-4716 and not come to Norris Health Center. We need to be able to get accurate information, including your temperature, to protect the health of you and others. If you are a Norris patient and do not have symptoms but have concerns about swine flu, our Health Promotion and Wellness Department at 414-229-6668 can answer your questions.

The Norris Health Center and UWM administrators continue to work progressively toward safeguarding the health of the UWM campus community. Thank you for helping us do this work by following these guidelines.

Thank you.

Julie Bonner, MD
Executive Director of Norris Health Center
Campus Health Officer