Posted Nov. 6, 2009

*Limited H1N1 and seasonal vaccines available
*Location and hours for shots
*Number of cases update

The College has received 100 doses of H1N1 vaccine, and 80 doses of seasonal flu vaccine.

The H1N1 vaccine will be available for free distribution to eligible students, faculty and staff based on guidelines established by the federal government. This is a single-dose, injectable inactivated virus that is safe for use with all groups of people.

On Monday and Tuesday it will be distributed to pregnant women and to people who live with or provide care for infants age less than six months. Based on the number of vaccines distributed to the highest-risk group, we will then reassess the distribution of any remaining vaccine.

The 80 doses of seasonal flu virus will be distributed first-come first-served to all students, faculty and staff, with no exceptions, beginning Monday. There is a $20 charge to your insurance; bring your insurance information.

Eligible people should be aware that it is possible to receive both H1N1 and seasonal vaccinations at the same time.

All vaccinations will be administered at the Student Health Service office in the lower level of Somers, which is open next week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Stop first at the Somers Front Desk to sign out an access card that will get you through the locked door near the loading dock.

More doses of H1N1 vaccine and seasonal flu vaccine have been requested; it's not known when they will arrive.

* * *

If you have flu-like symptoms go to the H1N1 Satellite Clinic at the main entrance to Somers Lounge. It's open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

* * *

The number of cases of new flu-like symptoms on campus continues to hold steady at zero to 15 new cases a day. The total of cases since the academic year began stands at 253 as of this morning.

Posted Oct. 23, 2009

Is H1N1 peaking on campus?
Get a seasonal flu shot
H1N1 vaccine still on order

According to news accounts, the peak of H1N1 activity may have arrived. At St. Scholastica, the number of new cases of flu-like symptoms has remained steady. We are seeing zero to 10 new cases per day, as we have since the start of the school year. This week's totals remain within that range; as of mid-day today the College had recorded 193 cases since the start of the school year.
Please remember, the H1N1 Satellite Clinic is available for students showing any symptoms of flu including headache, cough, body aches, sore throat, nausea, dizziness and vomiting. Stop in!
* * *
Student Health Service has 50 doses of seasonal flu vaccine available first-come, first-served to students, faculty and staff. Bring your insurance card for billing. We have another 250 doses scheduled to arrive within the next three weeks. When it's here we'll put out word.
* * *
The Student Health Service has reserved 2,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine. A delivery date is not yet known, but we'll circulate word as soon as it arrives.

Posted Oct. 9, 2009
*Pregnant? Pay attention, please!
*Seasonal flu vaccines still available
*H1N1 numbers update
*Remember the basics

*If you are pregnant you're at higher risk for complications from an H1N1 infection. Your own health, and that of your baby, could be at risk.
If you have any signs of an H1N1 infection, please see your doctor or come to the Satellite H1N1 Clinic or main Student Health Service office. Don't ignore the symptoms, which include:
cough, sore throat, fever, headaches, runny nose, muscle ache, body ache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. You don't have to have all the symptoms to have H1N1. Don't risk your health: see your doctor or Student Health Service at the first sign of illness.

*Student Health Service still has about 60 seasonal flu vaccines for students, faculty or staff in high risk groups, which includes pregnant women. If you are in a high risk group come to the Health Service for a shot any day, any time. Another 250 seasonal vaccine doses are expected in about three weeks. Student Health Service will be scheduling flu shot clinics, open to anyone interested, when that vaccine arrives.
H1N1 vaccine is still expected at some point, but no clear date has been established.

*New cases of flu-like symptoms this week included a high of 18 on Monday and a low of one new case today. The cumulative total is 139 reported cases since the start of the school year.

*Remember to protect yourself from illness by practicing good public health habits, including: avoid people with flu-like symptoms such as coughs, wash your hands often, get plenty of rest, and avoid touching your fingers to your eyes, nose or mouth.

If you do become ill, isolate yourself in your room or at home until 24 hours after your fever is gone without medication. Students, find a roommate or friend who can be your "flu buddy" to help care for you in terms of providing food and fluids, as well as watching for complications and checking on you three times a day. Your flu buddy can also
keep you up to date on your class notes and homework. Faculty and staff, work with your supervisor to arrange for the discharge of your duties by a colleague.

Posted Oct. 2, 2009

H1N1 update Contents:
*Student Health Service Satellite Clinic opens
*Latest flu-like symptoms numbers
*A little 'TLC'

*The Student Health Service Satellite Clinic for students with flu-like symptoms is open and appears to be serving student needs very well, according to Mary Beth Waage, head nurse.
Dozens of students have been seen in the new space, which is conveniently located in Somers Hall to the right of the main entrance. The new space also is beneficial in helping reduce exposure to H1N1 among students who need to use the main Health Service office.
To enter the Satellite Clinic use the door to the right of the main Somers doors. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

*The College has reported just over 100 cases of flu-like symptoms since the start of the school year, continuing a steady presence of zero to 10 new cases per day.

*Did you know that 50 percent of people who have an influenza-like illness have significant nausea, diarrhea or vomiting? Student Health Service and Food Service have teamed up to provide a little "tender loving care" for students in that predicament.

Any student with a food contract can receive from the Student Health Service an "easy on the tummy" pre-packaged meal put together by Food Service. It includes water, Gatorade, Sierra Mist, microwavable soup and crackers. A sick student's flu buddy can also pick up the pre-packaged meals at Greenview. Each meal is deducted from the sick student's contract.

Posted September, 25, 2009
H1N1 Symptoms Satellite Clinic Opens Tuesday, Sept. 29

The Student Health Service will open a Satellite Clinic on Tuesday, Sept. 29, to more efficiently serve students with flu-like symptoms. The Satellite Clinic is located near the main operator's desk in Somers Hall. Please enter through the outside door immediately to the right of the Somers Hall main entrance. The clinic will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Satellite Clinic location is more easily accessible to greater numbers of students than the main Health Service office, and will help decrease the exposure of students who need to visit the main Student Health Service office for non-flu reasons.
Going forward, regular hours of the Satellite Clinic will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Posted Sept. 23, 2009

H1N1 update Contents:
*Student Health Service Satellite Clinic to open
*Latest flu-like symptoms numbers
*Flu shots scheduled

Faculty, staff and students:
The Student Health Service will open a Satellite Clinic on Monday, Sept. 28, to more efficiently serve students with flu-like symptoms. The Satellite Clinic will be in Somers Hall near the Operator's Desk and will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. It will be staffed by a nurse and receptionist.

The Satellite Clinic location is more easily accessible to greater numbers of students than the main Health Service office, and will help decrease the exposure of students who need to visit the main Student Health Service office for non-flu reasons.

So far this week, 18 new cases of flu-like symptoms have been reported by students on the Duluth campus. That brings the total cases since the start of the school year to about 65.

Some of these students are already recovered or recovering, but the Health Service expects continued new cases.

Flu shot clinics for seasonal flu vaccine will be from 2 to 4 p.m. today and Friday in the Mitchell Kitchenette. The College has 250 doses, which will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please wear a shirt or top with loose short sleeves. The cost will be billed to the individual's health insurance, so remember to bring your insurance card and the name and birth date of the policy holder. If you don't have health insurance the cost is $20. The College expects to have an additional 250 doses of seasons flu vaccine available soon.

When H1N1 virus vaccine becomes available, we will also offer it. Dates are not known at this time.

Remember, the three simple steps we recommend are:

1) Stay informed by regularly visiting the College's emergency Web page for updates, at emergency.css.edu.

2) Practice good public health habits, including: avoid people with flu-like symptoms such as coughs, wash your hands often, get plenty of rest, and avoid touching your fingers to your eyes, nose or mouth.

3) If you do become ill, isolate yourself in your room or at home until 24 hours after your fever is gone without medication. Students, find a roommate or friend who can be your "flu buddy" to help care for you in terms of providing food and fluids, as well as watching for complications and checking on you three times a day. Your flu buddy can also keep you up to date on your class notes and homework. Faculty and staff, work with your supervisor to arrange for the discharge of your duties by a colleague. Looking forward, the College will offer vaccines for seasonal or "regular" flu, as well as for H1N1 virus if and when it becomes available.

MN Department of Health updates

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Frequently Asked Questions

Worried about H1N1? What to do.

Dr. Linda Van Etta, Duluth epidemiologist, discusses prevention measures