Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Number of people with flu-like symptoms tops 40
October 9, 2009
At this point in the fall semester, Skidmore's Health Services reports that 41 students have shown influenza-like symptoms since the academic year began with nine new cases having developed in the past week.
The good news on the flu front: more than 400 students have obtained seasonal flu vaccinations from Skidmore's Health Services since the academic year began. This is by far the best inoculation response by students in several years, according to Patricia Bosen, clinical director, Health Services. She said, "Seldom does Health Services administer all 450 flu shots typically ordered each year, even after conducting several employee vaccination clinics. However, this year we have given an average of 30 shots per day to students and that number has not slowed down at all. Typically, there are only a total of 50 to 60 students receiving flu shots any given year, so this is truly an unusual season."
Bosen indicated that heightened awareness about flu this year is prompting students to get vaccinated. "I do believe that all the media hype about H1N1 contributed to the turnout we had?we expected a few more students than usual but certainly not the number we had," she said.
This reaction by students to the availability of seasonal flu vaccine on campus has made it impossible for Health Services to offer vaccinations to faculty and staff. Bosen said, "It is still possible to receive seasonal influenza vaccination this year. Employees may consider receiving the vaccine at a local clinic or from their primary-care provider. Many local pharmacies are also conducting ongoing flu vaccine clinics." Please click this link for help in finding local clinics.
Skidmore's Emergency Management Team continues to work closely with the Saratoga County and New York State health departments to monitor Novel H1N1 (swine) influenza conditions and to respond to concerns surrounding the flu this year. For now, Skidmore is operating as usual.
Incidence of Flu: Symptoms of flu include fever of at least 100 degrees F and a cough and/or sore throat. Some students exhibited additional symptoms including runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. Health Services has advised these students to isolate themselves from other students, faculty and staff to the greatest extent possible for 24 hours after they have no fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
Vaccinations: Health Services expects to receive its allotment of H1N1 flu vaccinations within the next few weeks and will then schedule clinics to administer. Priorities include the following groups of people:
-Age six months through 24 years
-Age 25-64 years with any of the following conditions: chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (excluding hypertension), renal, hepatic, cognitive, neurological/neuromuscular, hematological, or metabolic (e.g. diabetes) disorders, immunosuppression, including that caused by medications or HIV; long-term aspirin therapy (applies to a child or adolescent age 6 months through 18 years)
-Being pregnant during the influenza season
-All health care and emergency medical services personnel
-All adults, children, and teens that are household contacts or caregivers of infants younger than age six months
Updates will be provided via email and web announcements. For more information about the College's response to the H1N1 virus and ways to reduce risk, please visit Skidmore's Pandemic Plan Web site.
http://cms.skidmore.edu/news/news.cfm?passID=1776
October 9, 2009
At this point in the fall semester, Skidmore's Health Services reports that 41 students have shown influenza-like symptoms since the academic year began with nine new cases having developed in the past week.
The good news on the flu front: more than 400 students have obtained seasonal flu vaccinations from Skidmore's Health Services since the academic year began. This is by far the best inoculation response by students in several years, according to Patricia Bosen, clinical director, Health Services. She said, "Seldom does Health Services administer all 450 flu shots typically ordered each year, even after conducting several employee vaccination clinics. However, this year we have given an average of 30 shots per day to students and that number has not slowed down at all. Typically, there are only a total of 50 to 60 students receiving flu shots any given year, so this is truly an unusual season."
Bosen indicated that heightened awareness about flu this year is prompting students to get vaccinated. "I do believe that all the media hype about H1N1 contributed to the turnout we had?we expected a few more students than usual but certainly not the number we had," she said.
This reaction by students to the availability of seasonal flu vaccine on campus has made it impossible for Health Services to offer vaccinations to faculty and staff. Bosen said, "It is still possible to receive seasonal influenza vaccination this year. Employees may consider receiving the vaccine at a local clinic or from their primary-care provider. Many local pharmacies are also conducting ongoing flu vaccine clinics." Please click this link for help in finding local clinics.
Skidmore's Emergency Management Team continues to work closely with the Saratoga County and New York State health departments to monitor Novel H1N1 (swine) influenza conditions and to respond to concerns surrounding the flu this year. For now, Skidmore is operating as usual.
Incidence of Flu: Symptoms of flu include fever of at least 100 degrees F and a cough and/or sore throat. Some students exhibited additional symptoms including runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. Health Services has advised these students to isolate themselves from other students, faculty and staff to the greatest extent possible for 24 hours after they have no fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
Vaccinations: Health Services expects to receive its allotment of H1N1 flu vaccinations within the next few weeks and will then schedule clinics to administer. Priorities include the following groups of people:
-Age six months through 24 years
-Age 25-64 years with any of the following conditions: chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (excluding hypertension), renal, hepatic, cognitive, neurological/neuromuscular, hematological, or metabolic (e.g. diabetes) disorders, immunosuppression, including that caused by medications or HIV; long-term aspirin therapy (applies to a child or adolescent age 6 months through 18 years)
-Being pregnant during the influenza season
-All health care and emergency medical services personnel
-All adults, children, and teens that are household contacts or caregivers of infants younger than age six months
Updates will be provided via email and web announcements. For more information about the College's response to the H1N1 virus and ways to reduce risk, please visit Skidmore's Pandemic Plan Web site.
http://cms.skidmore.edu/news/news.cfm?passID=1776