Information for Students

Posted December 3

2009 Student H1N1 Flu Vaccine NOW AVAILABLE for Xavier students in target populations

When and where will the 2009 H1N1 vaccine be available at Xavier?
The 2009 H1N1 vaccine will be available at the McGrath Health & Wellness Center during the following times:

• Saturday, December 5 from 9am-11am
• Monday, December 7 from 4pm-6pm
• Wednesday, December 9 from 9am-11am
• Thursday, December 10 from 4pm-6pm
• Saturday, December 12 from 9am-11am *
• Monday, December 14 from 4pm-6pm *
• Wednesday, December 16 from 9am-11am *
• Thursday, December 17 from 9am-11am *

*please note this is finals week – please check your finals schedule before booking an appointment

Find out about booking an Appointment.

Officials from the McGrath Health & Wellness Center met with 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 identified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as those which should receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available.

McGrath is scheduling appointments for Xavier students in these priority groups:

• ages 24 and younger
• students who give direct healthcare
• students with children under 6 months of age
• all students 25-65 with medical conditions associated with high risk of medical complications from influenza 

Pregnant women are advised to call McGrath at 513-745-3022 and speak to a nurse before signing up for the vaccine.

Can I just walk up?
No, Students age 24 and younger need to go online at http://www.xavier.edu/flu/H1N1-Flu-Clinic.cfm and register for an appointment on one of the above dates. At the scheduled appointment Xavier students in the priority groups must present a valid All Card, a drivers license and the completed paperwork, before they can receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.

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

Why is Xavier vaccinating students first?
Many Xavier students fall into one of the CDC’s target populations regarding the novel 2009 H1N1 flu. The CDC recommends that these target populations should be among the first to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available.
Members of the Xavier community who do not fall into the priority groups listed above are encouraged to contact their own doctors and/or local health officials about receiving the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.

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 even if 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 opt 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 September 22

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

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 September 2

Many of you are already planning to go home for the three-day Labor Day weekend. But if you aren't, and if you are able to go home over the weekend, you could help the Xavier community battle the spread of the novel H1N1 virus! (FYI, classes will be held as usual on Thursday and Friday.) The primary way the virus is thought to spread is person-to-person through coughing and sneezing of infected people. Fewer people on campus would mean fewer person-to-person contacts and help reduce the spread of the virus through the Xavier community.

For those who can't go home, all normal campus services will be open as usual.

If you become ill while at home, please notify the McGrath Health and Wellness Center and stay at home to recover.

If you are ill and have family at home who have chronic health issues, are pregnant, compromised immune systems, etc. it would be better for you to stay here at Xavier so as not to spread the virus to them.

If you are ill and have respiratory symptoms, don't travel via commercial carriers.

If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, call the McGrath and Wellness Center at 513-745-3022. After hours call Campus Police at 513-745-1000.

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

Posted August 28

(The following message was sent to all Xavier student emails.)

As you are aware more and more Xavier students are reporting mild influenza-like symptoms and illnesses. Seven cases have been confirmed as novel H1N1. Several cases have also been confirmed at other area universities. Per CDC recommendations, the McGrath Health and Wellness Center is no longer testing for the novel H1N1 virus. People who have symptoms are considered to have the flu.

In light of this and after consultation with the Cincinnati Health Department, we have a new homework assignment for you. Be Well!

To do that initiatives are being put into place to help stop the spread of the flu and help keep you and everyone in the Xavier community safe.

• Please be aware that if you are coughing in class, you will be asked to leave immediately to call the McGrath Health and Wellness Center at 513-745-3022.
• If you are not feeling well outside of class, immediately call the McGrath Health and Wellness Center at 513-745-3022 and stay away from others as much as possible.
• If you are feeling ill you may choose to go home and return to campus when you are completely well.
  • If you do leave campus, please notify your advisor and residence hall director.
  • If you are not able to go home or have to wait for your parents to pick you up, Xavier will be providing a space where you can recover away from the residence halls.
• The lower level of the Alumni Center is being converted to a recovery area for students, whether you live on or off campus. The area has space to accommodate a number of students, has sufficient bathroom facilities, is air conditioned, has a separate air filter system, is quiet, and can be isolated from the rest of the building. WiFi is available.
• The area will be supervised and be staffed by medical personnel. Food will be provided. Other spaces are also being investigated should the need arise for more space. You will receive further instructions if you will be going to this area.
• Disinfectant, paper towels, gloves and masks will be available in the residence halls.
• Don't worry about your classes if you have to leave Xavier for a while or if you are too ill to come to class. Remember your first 'assignment' is to get well! Faculty and staff will work with you to help you keep up on classes.
• Please note the University may be canceling or rescheduling large group events and activities to help prevent the spread of the flu.
• Continue to practice diligent personal hygiene!
  • Wash your hands
  • Cover your coughs but not with your hands

If you feel ill call the McGrath Health and Wellness Center and stay home.

Again, make your health your first priority so you can continue to grow, learn and enjoy your time at Xavier.

Xavier's Emergency Response Team