Flu Preparedness Information for CMC Students - Flu Shot Clinic

October 28, 2009

I'm writing because I wanted to put in one more plug for the flu shot clinic tomorrow (Thursday) in Collins, as well as update you on some other influenza concerns.

Student Health Services has already sent out information about this, but it bears repeating. There is a clinic for the "old" flu shot in Collins from 11am to 1pm in one of the private dining rooms on the west side of the building. The cost is $20, and they will accept cash, checks, or Claremont Cash. If you cannot attend this clinic, you may schedule a flu shot at Student Health Services by calling 621-8222. (If you are not planning to attend lunch in Collins but want to get the shot, please enter Collins from the west side doors and speak with the cashier.)

Now, everyone wants to know when the H1N1 vaccine will be available. On this topic, there is bad news and good news. As you probably know, the Federal government has ordered the H1N1 vaccine for everyone in the United States. When the manufacturers have significant stockpiles, they will send it to the states, who will then distribute it to health centers. So far, only a small number of H1N1 vaccines have been shipped out, and these are to be limited to people who are health care professionals, those who work with newborn babies, and those who may have a compromised immune system (including asthma, diabetes, or pregnancy, among others). Student Health Services received their small batch last week. If you have a documented case of one of the qualifying conditions, please call Student Health Services and schedule an appointment.

For the rest of us, we have to wait until the full distribution of H1N1 vaccines is ready. Everyone wants to know when that will be, and the honest answer is: we just don't know. Following the chain of action that has been set up, we will receive the vaccines from California, who will receive them from the Federal government, who will receive them from the labs that are producing them. No one has a definitive date on that yet. However, if there is any good news in this, it's that the limited release indicates that the State of California has not forgotten Student Health Services. In fact, the first distribution worked flawlessly. So when the mass distribution is ready, we are confident that we will have it for you at Student Health Services. (Faculty and staff will need to see their health care providers; Student Health Services is a student-only service.)

In the interim, it seems that we are entering flu season. Please continue to wash your hands frequently, and when that isn't possible, use hand sanitizer. If you feel a sneeze coming on, resist your temptation to sneeze into your hand, and instead sneeze into your elbow (the "Dracula" sneeze) so that you are less likely to touch something and infect someone else. If you have flu-like symptoms, seek medical attention and take steps to avoid getting other people sick (including isolating yourself until your fever has broken for 24 hours). And although you might not think of this, avoid sharing cups, toothbrushes, or utensils. Obviously, we're all thinking about protecting ourselves, but we should also take steps to avoid infecting others.

If you have any questions, please speak with your RA, one of the Deans of Students, or Student Health Services.

Sincerely,

Jeff Huang