President's OfficeH1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Information
H1N1 Flu Vaccine Update
Limited amounts of H1N1 flu vaccine doses became available in early October, and more will continue to become available over the upcoming weeks. Vaccine availability depends on many factors, especially considering that flu vaccine manufacturers are working to produce both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccines simultaneously.
In the initial few weeks of the H1N1 vaccination program, vaccinators will be focused on high-risk subgroups, i.e., children, pregnant women, and healthcare workers. Thereafter, as supplies allow, vaccinators will also target young adults below the age of 25, and 25-64 year olds with certain underlying health conditions. Public clinics will only be held at the point that there is sufficient volume to shift beyond the focus on these target groups. The CDC states that eventually there will be enough H1N1 vaccine to protect anyone in the population who wishes to be immunized.
At this point in time, our health care provider, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, is hoping to conduct H1N1 vaccination clinics for registered patients beginning in November. We are continuing to encourage our students to have their vaccination administered by their family physician, if possible, when the vaccination becomes available.
Getting vaccinated is a great way to keep from getting sick - but there are also other vitally important ways we can keep from getting or spreading the flu, including frequent hand washing with soap and warm water, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; covering our cough and sneeze with a disposable tissue or our inner elbow if a tissue isn't handy; and staying home from work or school if you're sick.
We know the best defense against the flu is PREVENTION
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer. Remember this is especially important when using public surfaces such as keyboards, touch screens, elevator buttons and doorknobs.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated and then touches eyes, nose or mouth.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, elbow or sleeve.
- If you become ill, let a Wheelock staff member know so we can assist and isolate you from others as much as possible. As there is limited space to quarantine those infected with H1N1, we are asking the families of students who live within a reasonable radius to campus to be prepared to pick up their son or daughter for recovery at home if she or he becomes ill with H1N1.
- Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of rest, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.
Once on campus, students who experience flu like symptoms should contact our health care provider, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, located just a couple of blocks from the college at 133 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA. Students can contact Harvard Vanguard at 617-421-1196 to register as a Harvard Vanguard patient. The clinicians will know that you are a Wheelock College student when you call, and you can arrange an appointment to be seen. Once a student is registered with Harvard Vanguard, they can call the same number listed above to schedule an appointment or seek medical advice and information 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
If you do become sick with a flu-like illness, please take these steps to care for yourself, and also to minimize the risk for those around you.For more information about the H1N1 Flu and vaccine availability, please visit the following websites:
