H1N1 Vaccination Clinics

The following email was sent to students on November 16, 2009 to inform them of the arrival of the H1N1 vaccinations and upcoming vaccination clinics.

November 16, 2009

Dear Vanderbilt Students,

The Student Health Center has received a larger supply of H1N1 shots and would like to now offer H1N1 vaccination to all students.

The Student Health Center will be holding a special immunization clinic for both H1N1 and seasonal influenza in the Sarratt Promenade on Wednesday, November 18, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., while supplies last.

Students who cannot attend this special clinic may also receive both H1N1 and seasonal vaccines at the Student Health Center on a walk-in basis, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Generally, the waiting time for immunizations at Sarratt will be shorter than the wait at the Student Health Center, so we encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity for vaccination.

Since H1N1 has most commonly affected children and young adults, the Student Health Center strongly encourages all students to obtain this vaccine.  The vaccine has been thoroughly studied, is produced in exactly the same manner as seasonal influenza vaccine, and is a safe, effective tool in providing protection from H1N1 influenza.

We also believe it's especially important to protect our students from seasonal flu this year, since both H1N1 and seasonal viruses are expected to continue to circulate widely this winter.  There are both personal and public health reasons to get both flu vaccines.  Having flu twice (seasonal + H1N1) is a great disruption to a student's academic and social life!  In addition, ill students may inadvertently pass influenza to high-risk individuals, professors, and other students, and may also expose family members when home over Thanksgiving and winter breaks.

In addition to receiving annual H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccinations, the most important tool for protection is frequent hand washing and avoiding the sharing of food, drink, or personal items, such as toothbrushes and makeup. Patients with influenza are contagious starting 24 hours before symptoms begin, meaning that even a seemingly well person can infect others before knowing that he/she is ill.  The Student Health Center's website at www.vanderbilt.edu/student_health/link/swine-flu contains valuable links and FAQ's that students should find helpful.

Any student with a temperature greater than 100.0 and cough or sore throat should call the Student Health Center at 615-322-2427 and make an appointment for evaluation.

Sincerely,
The Student Health Center

 

H1N1 Flu Shots: Small supply has arrived.

The following email was sent to students on November 9, 2009 to inform them of the arrival of the first shipment of H1N1 vaccinations and guidelines for eligibility at this time.

November 9, 2009

Dear Students,

The Student Health Center has just received a small supply of H1N1 shots and would like to begin its immunization efforts for H1N1 influenza by first offering vaccination to students who are at highest risk for complications from influenza.

We anticipate the arrival of more shots in the coming weeks and will then be able to offer vaccination to additional students. Since H1N1 has most commonly affected children and young adults, the Student Health Center strongly encourages all students to obtain this vaccine once it's available.  The vaccine has been thoroughly studied, is produced in exactly the same manner as seasonal influenza vaccine, and is a safe, effective tool in protecting individuals from H1N1 influenza.

At the current time, the following students are eligible for H1N1 vaccine and may come to the Student Health Center Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on a walk-in basis to receive vaccine, while supplies last:

o Medical, nursing, and audiology students who are not eligible to receive the nasal vaccine

o Pregnant students

o Students who are immunosuppressed

o Students who are caregivers or household contacts of children less than 6 months of age

o Students who are caregivers or household contacts of bone marrow transplant recipients

o Students with one of the following chronic health conditions:

• Diabetes
  Lung disease, including asthma requiring daily medications
  Heart, liver, or kidney disease
  Blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia
  Neurological disease

We also believe that it is especially important to protect students from seasonal flu this year, since both H1N1 and seasonal viruses are expected to continue to circulate widely this winter.  There are both personal and public health reasons to get both flu vaccines.  Having flu twice (seasonal + H1N1) is a great disruption to a student's academic and social life!  In addition, ill students may inadvertently pass influenza to high risk individuals, and may also expose family members when home over Thanksgiving and Winter breaks.

In addition to obtaining annual H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccinations, the most important tool for protecting yourself is frequent hand washing and avoiding the sharing of food, drink, and personal items such as toothbrushes and makeup. Patients with influenza are contagious starting 24 hours before symptoms begin, meaning that even a seemingly well person can infect others before knowing that he/she is ill.  The Student Health Website at www.vanderbilt.edu/student_health/link/swine-flu contains valuable links and FAQ's that students should find helpful.

Any student with a temperature greater than 100.0 and cough or sore throat should call the Student Health Center at 615-322-2427 to make an appointment for evaluation.

Sincerely,
The Student Health Center

 

Seasonal Flu Shots: Upcoming Vaccination Clinics

The following email was sent to students on October 26, 2009 to inform them of upcoming vaccination clinics.

October 26, 2009

Dear Students,

The Student Health Center has just received another shipment of SEASONAL flu vaccine and encourages students who remain unvaccinated to take advantage of upcoming flu-vaccination clinics before the onset of the seasonal flu, which typically begins in November.

It is especially important to protect our students from seasonal flu this year, since the H1N1 virus is also expected to circulate widely this winter.  There are both personal and public health reasons to get seasonal flu vaccine, which is well proven to reduce infection rates.  Having flu twice (seasonal + H1N1) is a great disruption to a student's academic and social life!  In addition, ill students may inadvertently pass influenza to high-risk individuals, perhaps professors or other students, and may also expose family members when home over Thanksgiving and winter breaks.

Mass flu vaccination clinics will be held:
1. Sarratt Promenade, Wednesday, October 28th, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
2. Student Health Center lobby, Monday, November 2nd, 5 p.m. until
7 p.m.

Students who cannot attend the clinics above may also receive vaccine during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.) at the Student Health Center, on a walk-in basis.

H1N1 vaccine is being distributed to state health departments, which in turn distribute the vaccine to sites in each state.  Not surprisingly, large hospitals or medical centers are given first priority to receive vaccine.  The Vanderbilt University Medical Center has received both nasal vaccine as well as a smaller
quantity of H1N1 vaccine shots.   Both forms of H1N1 vaccine are
currently available only to Medical Center staff and faculty, with a very small portion of that supply reserved for medical and nursing students on rotations in the hospital.  Student Health is expecting that its own shipment of H1N1 vaccine will arrive this fall, but the exact dates remain unknown.  The Student Health Center will notify students as soon as H1N1 vaccine arrives in the clinic.

In addition to receiving annual H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccinations, the most important tool to protect yourself is frequent hand washing and avoiding the sharing of food, drink, or personal items such as toothbrushes and makeup, with others.
Patients with influenza are contagious starting 24 hours before symptoms begin, meaning that even a seemingly-well person can infect others before he/she knows he/she is ill. The Student Health's website at http://www.vanderbilt.edu/student_health/link/swine-flu contains valuable links and FAQ's that you should find helpful.

Any student with a temperature greater than 100.0 and cough or sore throat should call the Student Health Center at 615-322-2427 and make an appointment for evaluation.

Sincerely,
The Student Health Center
322-2427

H1N1 Vaccination Update from Student Health

The following email was sent to students on October 15, 2009 with an update on the arrival of the H1N1 vaccination.

Dear Students,

The Student Health Center (SHC) would like to update you regarding seasonal and H1N1 influenza and the availability of vaccines.  We continue to see low numbers of H1N1 cases each day, after peaking in early to mid-September.  We have not yet seen any cases of seasonal influenza this school year and expect that to arrive at its typical time, usually late November through late January.

The shipments of seasonal flu vaccine have been a little slow in arriving this year because of the pressure for the vaccine suppliers to also work on the H1N1 production and shipment at the same time.  The SHC has given about 2,000 seasonal flu vaccines this year and has another 3,000 vaccines that we expect to receive during the months of October and November.  As soon as the supply is more robust at SHC, we will plan on holding more mass immunization clinics at off-site locations and/or in the SHC in an evening clinic.  Until that time, we do have a small supply still available and students can receive that vaccine during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.) at the Student Health Center on a walk-in basis.

H1N1 vaccine is beginning to be distributed to state health departments, who in turn distribute the vaccine to sites in each state.  Not surprisingly, large hospitals or medical centers are given first priority to receive vaccine.  The Vanderbilt University Medical Center has received both nasal vaccine as well as a smaller quantity of H1N1 vaccine shots.   Both forms of H1N1 vaccine are currently only available to Medical Center staff and faculty, with a very small portion of that also reserved for medical and nursing students on rotations in the hospital.  In the next few weeks, Student Health is expecting that its own shipment of H1N1 vaccine will arrive.  In addition, Student Health may have more access to Medical Center vaccine once they have more in stock and feel comfortable that faculty and staff in critical areas have been vaccinated.   At that time, the Student Health Center will notify students of H1N1 vaccine availability.

In addition to receiving annual H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccinations, the most important tool to protect yourself is frequent hand washing and avoiding the sharing of food, drink or personal items, such as toothbrushes and makeup, with others. Patients with influenza are contagious starting 24 hours before symptoms begin, meaning that even a seemingly well person can infect others before he/she knows he/she is ill. The Student Health's website at http://www.vanderbilt.edu/student_health/link/swine-flu contains valuable links and FAQ's that you should find helpful.

Any student with a temperature greater than 100.0 and cough or sore throat should call the Student Health Center at 615-322-2427 and make an appointment for evaluation.

Sincerely,
The Student Health Center

Grade Reports No Longer Mailed to Parents

Online student information systems receive changes, upgrades

Beginning with this fall semester, the Registrar’s office will no longer print and mail the mid-term deficiency report and final student grade report to parents. Students have been able to view and print their final grade reports in the Access 2 Academic Information (AAI) for the past several years and will soon have access to view and print their mid-term deficiency report from that application as well.

The Department of Management Information Systems (MIS) and Offices of Enrollment Management Information Systems (EMIS) and the University Registrar have also been busy working collaboratively to upgrade self-service capability for students. In the very near future, students will be able to provide and/or update their emergency contact information, their missing student contact information (mandated by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008), and their race/ethnicity (required for IPEDS reporting) directly into the student records system utilizing Web applications. Next March/April 2010, students will register for their fall 2010 classes with a new registration system powered by Oracle PeopleSoft.

Contact: the University Registrar’s Office, university.registrar@vanderbilt.edu

Your student's health is Vanderbilt's top priority

On September 22, the following message was e-mailed to all Vanderbilt students. We have provided it to keep you informed of the university's efforts to protect the health of allstudents.

Dear Students:
The Student Health Center has received its next shipment of seasonal flu vaccine. Seasonal (regular) flu shots will be given on Wednesday, September 23, from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Sarratt Promenade. Flu shots are free of charge. Students who cannot attend this special flu shot program may come to the Student Health Center, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. for vaccination.

Our recent shipment contains a limited amount of vaccine (400). We are expecting the arrival of approximately 3,000 more doses in the next couple of weeks so that all students who desire vaccination for seasonal flu can be accommodated before the seasonal flu season begins. The Student Health Center also expects to receive H1N1 vaccines this Fall, and will notify students as soon as more information is available regarding that vaccination program.

In addition to receiving annual influenza vaccination, the most important tool to protect yourself is frequent hand washing and avoiding the sharing of food, drink or personal items, such as toothbrushes and makeup, with others. Patients with influenza are contagious starting 24 hours before symptoms begin, meaning that even a seemingly well person can infect others before he/she knows he/she is ill.

The Student Health's website at http://www.vanderbilt.edu/student_health/link/swine-flu contains valuable links and FAQ's that you should find helpful.

Sincerely,
The Student Health Center

 

On September 10, the following message was e-mailed to all Vanderbilt students. We have provided it to keep you informed of the university's efforts to protect the health of all students.

This message outlines the steps students should take if they develop flu-like symptoms or have been exposed to the flu. It also announces a dedicated "flu clinic" scheduled for 2–5 p.m. Sunday, September 13, at the Student Health Center. Wellness tips, helpful numbers and online resources are included as well.

If you have questions regarding your student's health, please call (877) 887-2736 or
e-mail Parents & Family Programs.

Dear Students,

Our Student Health Center--like many others across the U.S.--continues to see many students with influenza or influenza-like illnesses.   The Student Health Center, in response to an ongoing increased patient demand, will open another dedicated "flu clinic" on Sunday September 13, from 2pm until 5pm.  This special clinic will be held for those who develop flu symptoms over the weekend, or for those who have had close contact (intimate partner or roommate) with a person with diagnosed influenza and wish to be evaluated for preventive Tamiflu.  The Student Health Center will continue to monitor closely our students' needs. The decision regarding additional extra clinic time will be made on a week-by-week basis.

The good news is that most students, faculty, and staff are recovering quickly from influenza and getting back to classes or work within a few days.  The Student Health Center continues to stress that students with the flu should NOT return to class until fever-free for 24 hours, without fever-reducing medication.

Ill students, not in immediate crisis (no vomiting, no shortness of breath), are still strongly encouraged to use the Student Health Center for their flu-related needs, rather than the Emergency Department at Vanderbilt.  Tamiflu is effective if initiated within 48 hours of symptom onset.

The Emergency Department at Vanderbilt, like many in the U.S. right now, is overwhelmed with flu patients and other illnesses and injuries, resulting in a wait of many hours for non-emergency patients.  The Student Health Center staff is available for consultation and advice regarding whether a student's illness can wait until the next business day, or whether an Emergency Department visit is warranted.  The Student Health Center's phones are forwarded to an answering service after-hours; this service can be reached at our main number, 615-322-2427.

Ill students also have the support of the Office of Housing and Residential Education and can seek counsel from RAs or professional staff if there are questions regarding access to medical services after-hours. Well students who are living with students affected by influenza should be diligent about washing hands and minimizing direct exposure as much as possible.  Resident advisors and professional staff members in the Office of Housing and Residential education will assist to the extent possible with the separation of well students from ill students.

In addition, some well students may be candidates for preventive Tamiflu, if the exposure is "intimate" (intimate partner or roommate).  Well students who feel they may be candidates for Tamiflu, and have been seen previously at the Student Health, may contact any provider there via My Health at Vanderbilt, an on-line tool which allows electronic communication with Student Health providers.  This site can be found at http://www.myhealthatvanderbilt.com/  .  Well students with influenza exposure (intimate partner or roommate) with no medical record at the Student Health Center should call 615-322-2427 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday and Saturday morning) to discuss whether Tamiflu is indicated.

Ill students can also have a friend pick up a meal from Dining Services by filling out the request form at http://www.vanderbilt.edu/dining/sickmeals.php .

The most important tool to protect yourself from influenza is frequent handwashing and avoiding the sharing of personal items, food, or drink with others.  Patients with influenza are contagious starting 24 hours before symptoms begin, meaning that even a seemingly well person can infect others before he/she knows he/she is ill.  The Student Health's website at http://www.vanderbilt.edu/student_health/link/swine-flu  contains valuable links and FAQ's that you should find helpful.

The Student Health Center is still waiting on its main shipment of seasonal flu shots and will notify students as soon as it's available for the general student population.  H1N1 vaccine shipments are not scheduled at this time, but may begin as early as late October.  Students will be notified by email as soon as more information regarding H1N1 vaccination is known.

Sincerely,

The Student Health Center
322-2427

 

On September 4, the following message about flu shots was e-mailed to all Vanderbilt students. We have provided it to keep you informed of the university's efforts to protect the health of all students.

Dear Vanderbilt Students,

While H1N1 influenza has occupied much of the public's attention in recent weeks and months, it is important to remember that seasonal ("regular") flu will still be circulating widely in our community very soon.  The Student Health Center has received partial shipment of its supply of seasonal flu vaccine.  We expect our full supply to be in place in the coming weeks and will announce mass vaccination sites very soon.

This initial supply will be reserved for the following students considered "high risk" for influenza acquisition or complications of influenza infection, as defined by the CDC:

*Students aged 50 years and older
*Women students who will be pregnant during the influenza season *Students  with chronic pulmonary (including asthma patients who take daily meds), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, neurological/neuromuscular, hematologic, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus) *Students who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV) *Healthcare professionals, including medical, nursing and Hearing and Speech students *Students who have household contacts with--or who are caregivers for--children aged 59 months and younger (i.e., aged <5 years), or adults aged 50 years and older *Students who have household contacts with--or who are caregivers for--persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza (as above) .

If you fall in a category above, you may receive your flu shot free of charge at the Student Health Center, starting Monday Sept. 7. Shots will be given Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.  No appointment is needed.

Thank you.

The Student Health Center Staff
322-2427

A Message from the Vanderbilt Student Health Center about the H1N1 “Swine” Flu Virus