Influenza A (H1N1)

H1N1 Flu Vaccine

There has been an increase in the number of persons with influenza like illnesses in the past few weeks and we expect this number to continuing going up over the next few weeks.  In particular the CDC is reporting a significant surge of flu like illness on college campuses nationwide.

“This likely reflects the relative lack of natural immunity among young adults and students' vulnerability to the infection.  We remain concerned about the risk of exposure to vulnerable students on our campuses and their potential to infect those in their communities or their families who are at higher risk for complications, hospitalization, or worse.  This recent return of flu helps reaffirm the importance of vaccination…."

-Dr. James C. Turner, President of the American College Health Association

If you have not already, please consider getting the H1N1 vaccine—It is free, takes just a few minutes and it is important to your health and those around you.

The Student Health and Wellness Center will offer the vaccine, on a first come first served basis, to registered students who meet the following CDC and Health Department guidelines:

• You are younger than 25 years of age.
• You are pregnant. Pregnant women are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to their unborn child.
• You are a household contact and caregiver for child(ren) younger than 6 months of age. Infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
• You are 25 to 65 years and have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza. These conditions include but are not limited to: asthma, diabetes, immunocompromised, or dialysis patients. You will need to bring documentation of these conditions if it is not already on file with the Student Health and Wellness Center.

It is important to note we have limited supplies of both live and inactivated vaccines. All students will be medically screened to determine which vaccine is more suitable for administration. You are not guaranteed to get the vaccine, should you not meet the criteria, have a pre-existing condition that advises/prevents you from getting the vaccine and/or the University runs out of the vaccine, and/or any other reason, Hofstra University assumes no responsibility for any injury or damages resulting in the administering or denial of the vaccine.

The vaccine will be distributed during “walk-in” clinics for registered students who meet the above CDC criteria, at The Student Health and Wellness Center, located in Republic Hall on the following days:

If you are unable to come during the times listed above please call the Health and Wellness Center at 516.463.6745 to schedule an appointment.

For more information about the H1N1 vaccine, please look at the following websites:

• Inactivated Vaccine
• Live, Attenuated Vaccine

Thank you for your continued vigilance in helping to limit the spread of illness on campus.  Please continue to practice good personal hygiene by covering your cough and sneeze, and washing your hands frequently.  Follow these steps everyday: Steps to Prevent H1N1

The 2009 H1N1 (sometimes called "swine flu") is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide.

• If you are experiencing a influenza-like-illness, stay at home. If you are a residential student and live within commutable distance you should return home to recuperate.

If you are a student and have flu like symptoms (sudden onset of a fever of 100 or more, along with a sore throat, dry cough, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, stuffy or runny nose) call the Health and Wellness Center at (516) 463-6745:

• This online tool is available to help you understand your symptoms:
  https://h1n1.cloudapp.net/Default.aspx
• Please utilize the following portal form to contact your professors and/or RD about your illness.
• If you cannot return home, dining services has a meal delivery plan.