The first H1N1 Vaccination Clinic for Salisbury University students will be held Wednesday, November 11, in the Nanticoke rooms of the Guerrieri University Center.

xPriority groups, as identified by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), will be vaccinated first.

A current SU student ID is required.

Students under age 18 must have parental consent. Consent may be faxed to Student Health Services at 410-548-4101 prior to the clinic. Vaccine will be administered on a first come, first served basis. Students may encounter lines.

From 9-11 a.m., the clinic will be open to the following students:

Pregnant women
Students 65 years or younger with chronic medical conditions or weakened immune systems (Examples include diabetics, those with heart or lunch disease, and asthmatics.) Those unsure about a health condition that may put them at risk should check with their healthcare providers managing the condition.
Students who are parents/caregivers of infants younger than 6 months

From 11 a.m.-1 p.m., these groups will continue to be vaccinated, along with any student through age 25.

People who have had a confirmed case of H1N1 are considered to be immune and do not need to be vaccinated. Anyone moderately to severely ill with any acute illness should wait until he or she is well before being vaccinated.

The CDC has stated that eventually anyone desiring the vaccine will be able to get it. If and when more vaccine becomes available to SU, anyone who was unable to receive vaccination initially will be offered vaccine at future clinics. Information about future clinics will be posted on the Emergency Preparedness Web site, www.salisbury.edu/emergency, and on the Campus Health Alert Hotline, 410-543-7995.

As most of you are aware, this fall we face not only the usual seasonal influenza but also the novel H1N1 influenza that surfaced last spring. We continue to urge students to stay tuned for updates on the situation. The seasonal flu vaccine is separate and provides different immunity than the H1N1 vaccine. Both are recommended this year for college students by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Manufacturers have re-directed production efforts from seasonal flu vaccine in order to create supplies of H1N1 vaccine. For this reason, many facilities are unable to procure seasonal flu vaccine. Student Health Services has exhausted its supply of seasonal flu vaccine. Individuals should contact their local health department or private healthcare provider as these facilities will receive any vaccine that becomes available.

Student Health Services anticipates receiving H1N1 vaccine in the coming weeks. Monitor the emergency preparedness website, www.salisbury.edu/emergency, for updates. Campus wide emails will be sent announcing clinics as vaccine becomes available.

Information about the flu is also available by calling the Campus Health Alert Hotline at: 410-543-7995

FLU Symptoms include:

Of 100 degrees or more
Cough and/or sore throat
Headache and/or body aches
Runny or stuffy nose
Fatigue
Diarrhea or vomiting

Having these symptoms does not always mean that you have the flu. Many different illnesses, including the common cold, can have similar symptoms

You can minimize the risk of contracting the flu by:

Washing your hands often, especially after coughing, sneezing and wiping or blowing the nose. If water is not available, use a hand sanitizer.
Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze with a tissue, and immediately discard it. If you do not have tissues available, cough into your sleeve.
Staying away from sick people, crowded sleeping and living spaces, if possible.
Using household disinfectants to wipe down doorknobs, work stations, counter tops and bathroom surfaces.
Building your immune system by eating well, getting plenty of rest, and managing your stress in positive ways.
Get a seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine if it becomes available

The following are CDC Recommendations:

If you have flu-like symptoms, including a fever of 100 degrees or more AND cough or sore throat, then stay home and call your physician or Student Health Services.
If you are mildly sick with symptoms stay home and recover. Self-isolate until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications like Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Stay away from others as much as possible. Have friends or roommates pick up meals for you from Dining Services or other places rather than going out yourself.
Roommates and friends should use the social distancing rule of 6 feet to limit sharing.
Have in place a transportation plan so that you can go home to recover. You will be more comfortable and it will limit the spread of the flu on campus.
Warning signs that indicate that you need medical care are:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness or confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

Academic Concerns:

If you contract the flu, email or call your professors early on. Communications have been sent to faculty and staff asking them to understand the need for self isolation during this time. Medical notes will not be issued by Student Health Services due to the volume of people expected to be affected and the demand on healthcare providers to treat the very ill.

Information about the flu is available by calling the Campus Health Alert Hotline at:
410-543-7995