H1N1 Influenza Virus Information and Updates

The Xavier University Emergency Response Team, which includes the McGrath Health and Counseling Center medical staff, is monitoring the situation closely and will post updated information as it becomes available.

Posted 11/17/09: Cincinnati H1N1 Clinics

The Cincinnati Health Department is now offering evening H1N1 vaccination walk-in sessions for individuals classified as "high priority" (Tier One). Both the injectable and nasal mist form of the vaccine are available. This schedule will run from November 16th through December 17th, 2009 and is subject to change if vaccine supply is interrupted. Click here for more information.

Posted 11/16/09: H1N1 Flu at Xavier

CANCELLED!

2009 Student H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinic
Thursday, November 19, 2009

Shipments of H1N1 vaccine to Hamilton County have not been as readily available as initially hoped. At present, demand for the vaccine in our community exceeds the supply received. The focus of local health officials has been on the vaccination of young school children and pregnant women.

As a result, Xavier's McGrath Health and Wellness Center has not received the H1N1 vaccine ordered from the Ohio Department of Health. Therefore, we are cancelling the planned November 19th student H1N1 flu vaccination clinic. We anticipate we will receive vaccine at a later date, and as soon as it arrives, we will reschedule vaccination clinics.

Please understand we cannot predict upcoming clinic dates since vaccine shipments and shipment quantity still remain uncertain and are out of our hands.

The vaccine distribution process is controlled by the Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is frustrating for us, as well as the rest of the community, that the slow distribution of doses arriving here is stalling many vaccination plans.

We apologize for the uncertainty of this process and any inconvenience it causes.

The Cincinnati Health Department will host clinics for high priority groups during November and December. Call their H1N1 Hotline at 513-357-7499 or visit www.cincinnati-oh.gov/health/pages/-36511-/ for more information. Another option for high priority groups is to preregister for vaccine via the Ohio Department of Health at https://h1n1vaccine.odh.ohio.gov/.

Please visit www.flu.gov or www.xavier.edu/flu for more information. Continue to protect yourself as much as possible by practicing good hygiene.

Posted 11/9/09: H1N1 Flu at Xavier

Continue to be diligent!! There have been two reported deaths due to H1N1 in Northern Kentucky just in the past few days!

We are now into regular flu season, so in addition to the novel H1N1 virus, everyone in the Xavier community is susceptible to regular flu, colds, upper respiratory illnesses, and more.

It is imperative that everyone continue to follow good personal hygiene.

• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Wash your hands.
• Use hand sanitizers.
• If you are ill seek medical attention.

Also, please continue to save the date of Thursday, November 19 for the Student H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinic for Xavier students and employees 24 years of age and younger.

The clinic is tentatively planned to take place from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the Cintas Center Concourse. The McGrath Health and Wellness Center is working with the Nursing Department and other volunteers to staff the clinic. They are also working on establishing an on-line appointment system. We will send out more details about the appointment system later.

Please be aware that the date of the clinic MAY change if Xavier does not receive the vaccine in time for the November 19 clinic.

Seasonal flu shots are available for students at the McGrath Health and Wellness Center. The vaccines are available by appointment only. To schedule an appointment call the Center at 513-745-3022. The vaccines are $20. The cost can be put on your Bursar bill.

For more information on the novel H1N1 virus or the flu season please visit www.flu.gov.

Posted 10/15/09: H1N1 Flu at Xavier

SAVE THE DATE
Thursday, November 19, 2009
10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
2009 Student H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinic
For Xavier students and employees 24 and younger
DETAILS TO FOLLOW IN EARLY NOVEMBER

When and where will the 2009 H1N1 vaccine be available at Xavier?
Officials from the McGrath Health and Wellness Center met with representatives from the Cincinnati and Norwood Health Departments. It was decided Xavier would be a good site to administer the vaccine, since the University has a large target population. Target populations are groups identified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) which should receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. People ages six months to 24 years are identified as a target population. The Norwood Health Department inspected and approved Xavier to be a site.

A student H1N1 flu vaccine clinic is scheduled for Thursday, November 19. It is will be held on the concourse of the Cintas Center from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

During that time Xavier students and staff age 24 years or younger, showing a valid All Card, can receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. This date may change if Xavier does not receive the vaccine by then. Details will be posted on the portal and in the residence halls in early November.

How much will it cost?
In the interest of public health and to slow the spread of the virus, Xavier will offer the vaccine free of charge to the Xavier population age 24 and younger.

Why is Xavier vaccinating students first?
Many Xavier students fall into one of the CDC’s target populations that being people ages six months to 24 years of age. The CDC recommends that these target populations should be among the first to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available.

Will Xavier faculty and staff be able to get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine?
The vaccine clinic scheduled for November 19 is intended for the Xavier community age 24 and younger. Xavier is being supplied with vaccine through the Ohio Department of Health from the CDC, who assures there will be enough vaccine for everyone who wishes to receive it. You are encouraged to contact your own health care provider if you want to receive vaccine as soon as possible.

Should I get vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 if I have had flu-like illness since the spring of 2009?
Most people should be vaccinated with the 2009 H1N1 vaccine regardless of whether they had a flu-like illness earlier in the year. If you had 2009 H1N1 flu, as confirmed by an RT-PCR test, you should have some immunity and can choose not to get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Vaccination of a person with some existing immunity to the 2009 H1N1 virus will not be harmful. Any immunity from 2009 H1N1 influenza infection or vaccination will not provide protection against seasonal influenza. All people who want protection from seasonal flu should still get the seasonal influenza vaccine.

Will two doses of vaccine be required?
The FDA has approved the use of one dose of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine for persons 10 years of age and older.

How else can we prevent the spread of illness?
As stressed all along basic hygiene is key:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Immediately dispose of the tissue. Or cough/sneeze into your elbow.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• If you get sick, the CDC recommends you stay home from work and school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

These measures will continue to be important after a 2009 H1N1 vaccine is available because they can prevent the spread of other viruses that cause respiratory infections.

For more information visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

Posted 9/25/09: H1N1 Flu at Xavier

In light of recent news about the death of a 22-year-old Miami (OH) University graduate possibly from complications of H1N1, Xavier reminds everyone that vigilance is still needed even if the risk at Xavier appears low right now.

The CDC urges everyone to remember the flu risk has not passed, nor has it hit its peak. Please use the same good practices that have protected you thus far:

• Smother coughs/sneezes in your sleeve.
• Wash your hands often.
• Get the seasonal flu vaccine which is now available at the McGrath Health and Wellness Center. Call 513-745-3022 to schedule an appointment.
• Stay home and seek treatment immediately if you feel ill.

If you experience flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue) call the McGrath Health and Wellness Center at 513-745-3022. After hours, call Campus Police at 513-745-1000.

In adults, symptoms requiring urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough

The good hygiene practices being followed here at Xavier have worked in our favor, but it is important not to get complacent.

Posted 9/22/09: H1N1 Flu at Xavier

Thank you to everyone in the Xavier University community for their cooperation, flexibility and understanding while we deal with the novel H1N1 flu virus.

There have been approximately 175 probable cases of the novel H1N1 flu virus reported to the McGrath Health and Wellness Center since late August. Since Labor Day, the number of reported cases has dwindled, but this does not mean the flu will not hit again! Please continue to practice good hygiene to help stop the spread of germs!

The lower level of the Alumni Center, which housed the recovery center, has been reopened to the Phonathon, employees and visitors. The area has been thoroughly cleaned and is perfectly safe.

If the need arises, Xavier's Emergency Response Team may reactivate the recovery center in that location.

The McGrath Health and Wellness Center has applied to the Ohio Department of Health for doses of the novel H1N1 flu vaccine which was recently approved by the FDA. It is not known exactly when McGrath might receive the vaccines. However, seasonal flu vaccines are available.

Season Flu Shots Available

Employees

To help control the flu virus, the Office of Human Resources in collaboration with the Xavier University's benefits committee is providing regular flu shots, by appointment, to Xavier employees in conjunction with Health Works, an Anthem provider. The vaccine offers protection from the seasonal flu, but not the H1N1 virus.

The shots are available

• Monday, Sept. 28, noon to 4:00 p.m., Joseph Club in the Cintas Center.
• Thursday, Oct. 1, 8:00 a.m. to noon, Joseph Club in the Cintas Center.

The shots are available with no co-pay for those employees covered under Xavier's Anthem Health plan. Membership cards must be presented at the time of service. If you do not have coverage through Xavier, the cost of the shot is $22, payable in cash or a check payable to Health Works.

You must complete a flu shot CONSENT FORM and bring the form with you to the appointment. If you answer "yes" to questions on the consent form, please consult your physician before scheduling an appointment.

To schedule an appointment, please REGISTER HERE.

Please remember to wear a short sleeve shirt or top to your appointment.

Please contact Niké Cline-Bailey at 3698 or clinebai@xavier.edu for more information.

Students

On Monday, September 21, the McGrath Health and Wellness Center began offering seasonal flu vaccines for students. The vaccine offers protection from the seasonal flu but not the H1N1 virus.

The vaccines are available by appointment only. To schedule an appointment call the Center at 513-745-3022.

The vaccines are $20. The cost can be put on your Bursar bill.

Posted 9/16/09: H1N1 Flu at Xavier

The McGrath Health and Wellness Center continues to see 2-4 probable new cases a day of the novel H1N1 virus on campus. But just because Xavier is seeing fewer cases than a few weeks ago, doesn't mean the threat of the H1N1 virus has diminished.

In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus is the predominant influenza virus in circulation worldwide.

As of September 6th, the World Health Organization (WHO) regions have reported over 277,607 laboratory-confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (2009 H1N1) with at least 3,205 deaths, which is an increase of over 23,401 cases and at least 368 deaths since August 30th. The laboratory-confirmed cases represent a substantial underestimation of total cases in the world as many countries focus surveillance and laboratory testing only on persons with severe illness.

Therefore is it urgent that everyone on Xavier's campus continue to follow good hygiene guidelines to help prevent the spread of H1N1.

• Cover your coughs/sneezes.
• Wash your hands.
• Use hand sanitizers.

Students, if you are not feeling well do not put yourself or your friends at risk! Call the McGrath Health and Wellness Center at 513-745-3022. After hours contact Campus Police at 513-745-1000.

Employees who contract the flu should notify their supervisor and stay home for 5 days from the onset of symptoms. They need to be fever free for 24 hours, without medication (e.g. Advil, Tylenol, or similar fever reducing products) before returning to work. A doctor’s note is not required in this specific instance.

On Tuesday, September 15, 2009, the Food and Drug Administration did approve a vaccine for the H1N1 virus. Visit the FDA web site for more information.

The University continues to monitor the situation closely. At this time there are no plans to reactivate the recovery center in the Alumni Center, but the Emergency Response Team is prepared to respond in the event of another outbreak and reopen the recovery center.

Please bookmark www.xavier.edu/flu for the latest on the novel H1N1 flu situation at Xavier.

» View prior H1N1 flu updates.