H1N1 Vaccinations on Campus, Nov. 17-18
October 30, 2009
Humboldt State University students, faculty and staff under the age of 25 can receive the vaccination for H1N1 (swine) flu, Nov. 17-18. The location is still being determined.
The vaccine is being provided free through the federal government, and costs of administering the shot are being covered by Humboldt State and the Humboldt County Department of Public Health.
Only those under 25 who are members of the campus community are eligible for the on-campus vaccination. Those under 18 will need parental consent.
Those not eligible for the on-campus vaccinations should contact their doctor. Pregnant women are currently eligible to receive the vaccine at their doctor’s office, and children will receive it at schools or pediatric offices. The Centers for Disease Control has said there will eventually be enough vaccine for all who choose to be vaccinated, with most eventually being distributed through private medical practitioners.
The H1N1 vaccination is administered as a single dose, except for those 10 and younger. It protects only against H1N1, not seasonal flu, which requires a different vaccination.
The HSU Student Health Center has seen a significant increase in the number of H1N1 cases on campus in recent weeks. The Center is reminding students that precautions for staying healthy include frequent and thorough hand washing, coughing and sneezing into sleeves and avoiding contact with anyone who is ill.
Students and others who suspect they have contracted influenza should stay at home until the fever has subsided for at least 24 hours without medicine to keep the fever down. Individuals should call their medical provider if they need additional advice. In most cases, nationwide and locally, people suffer from a few days of illness and recover uneventfully.
However, the H1N1 flu can affect some individuals rapidly and severely. Some have become quite ill with pneumonia following their initial illness.
Sick individuals should seek medical care if they do not start feeling better after three to four days, or any time they become suddenly worse.
Also, individuals with certain underlying health conditions might be at especially high risk. These include pregnancy, cancer, blood disorders (including sickle cell disease), chronic lung disease (including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), diabetes, heart disease, kidney and liver disorders and neurological disorders (including nervous system, brain or spinal cord), neuromuscular disorders (including muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis) and weakened immune systems (including people with AIDS).
Persons with these pre-existing conditions who become sick with the flu should call or visit their medical provider early in their illness to be assessed for possible anti-viral medication.
For current information about H1N1 and the vaccination, visit http://www.flu.gov. Updated campus news and information about H1N1 is available a http://www.humboldt.edu/flu.