Swine Flu ( H1N1) Update

To: Members of the Wellesley College Community

From: Wellesley College Pandemic Preparedness Team

Date: Oct. 8, 2009

Re: Update H1N1 (Swine) and Seasonal Influenza

As we enjoy all that is spectacular about fall in New England, the Wellesley College Pandemic Preparedness Team would like to commend the extraordinary effort and attentiveness directed toward reporting and effectively managing presumed H1N1 influenza on our campus during the past month.  The cooperation and vigilance of students and employees in caring for each other and following directives as they have been posted has been a clear demonstration of the College’s motto: Not to be ministered unto, but to minister.

Seasonal and H1N1 Flu Vaccine
With the past month behind us, our focus is now on continuing our vigilance at the start of the seasonal influenza season (officially beginning on Oct. 4).  As you know, the supply of seasonal flu vaccines has been delivered earlier this year than in the past.  The peak range of time for seasonal influenza is usually December through February.  The national challenge for manufacturers and distributors of both the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines has been to prepare, get approval for and distribute both types of vaccines nearly simultaneously.   We have begun both employee and student seasonal flu vaccinations as our supplies have become available.  We have been pleased with the brisk response to these efforts.

Seasonal Flu Clinic for Faculty and Administrative and Union Staff
This clinic is for faculty and administrative and union staff only. You must bring your Wellesley College ID to receive your shot.

When: Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 11 am to 2 pm
Where:  Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center - Room 104

HPHC Members - You must bring your HPHC card to the clinic to receive your shot.
Non-HPHC Members - You will pay out of pocket, $25 cash or a check payable to “Maxim.”

Seasonal Flu Clinics for Students
Having administered our first supply of seasonal flu vaccine to students this week, we are temporarily postponing our seasonal flu vaccine clinics for students scheduled for Oct. 13, 14 and 15 as we await an additional vaccine shipment. At our earliest notification of the arrival of additional seasonal flu vaccine supplies, we will notify the community of our rescheduled seasonal flu vaccine dates. Several retail pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreen’s offer an alternative for students who are traveling off campus in the coming days.

In accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, we will be offering H1N1 vaccination to students when H1N1 vaccine becomes available.  Community members who have had presumed H1N1 influenza are encouraged to get vaccinated.

Employee Call Log: 781-283-3474
In partnership with the Department of Public Health, the Wellesley College Planning Team will continue to track absenteeism to manage the normal operation of the college as well as to determine the extent of flu-like illness.

Managers have been asked to report, in very general terms, all absences related to illness by calling 781-283-3474.

Employees with flu-like illness should stay home at least 24 hours after fever has fallen below 100F or 38C without the aid of fever-reducing medication.

Reminder
Additionally, we would be remiss if we did not continue to encourage you to continue your good health practices to help our community remain as healthy as possible.

• Practice good hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.  Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is an effective alternative.
• Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.  If there isn’t a tissue available, cough or sneeze into an elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to minimize the spread of germs.