FLU at PLU
Updated 11/18/09
H1N1 flu vaccine clinic Friday Nov. 20
If you have the flu, don't visit the PLU Health Center
Do you think you have the flu? Don’t visit the PLU Health Center.
Follow the self-isolation and care guidelines found on this Web site. If you have questions, call or e-mail the Health Center: 253-535-7337 or flu@plu.edu. Don’t visit the Health Center.
(Note: The H1N1 flu vaccine is being provided in either nasal mist or injected form, as determined by health department guidelines.)
Faculty and Staff: H1N1 vaccination
Students: H1N1 vaccination
As part of our ongoing flu prevention and response effort, the university is encouraging all PLU students to be vaccinated for H1N1 flu this fall.
For your convenience, any PLU student age 18 through 24 may receive the H1N1 vaccine on campus. The distribution of the vaccine is on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $10. The University Center clinic takes cash, credit cards, Lute Bucks and student account payment.
Dates and times are contingent on vaccine availability. Clinic schedules will be posted at www.plu.edu/flu.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has determined that vaccination efforts should focus first on people in five target groups who are at higher risk for H1N1 influenza. Among these groups are people six months through 24 years of age – covering the ages of almost all PLU students.
Also according to the CDC, individuals at increased risk of complications if they get sick from influenza are those with:
Cancer
Blood disorders, including sickle cell disease
Chronic lung disease, including asthma
Diabetes
Heart disease
Kidney disorders
Liver disorders
Neurological disorders
Neuromuscular disorders
Weakened immune systems
If you fall into one of the groups above, please call the Health Center: 253-535-7337.
According to Dr. James C. Turner, president of the American College Health Association now is the time to get an H1N1 flu shot. In mid-October he said:
"Waves of influenza-like illness appear to occur in local and regional areas over a six to seven week time interval. Many outbreaks will have waned significantly by the time H1N1 vaccine becomes widely available. Therefore, the next two to three months represent a critical period for achieving high rates of vaccination among college students before the next wave starts this winter."
For more information on the H1N1 vaccine visit: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_keyfacts.htm
Faculty and Staff: H1N1 Vaccination
As part of our ongoing flu prevention and response effort, the university is also encouraging faculty and staff to closely monitor the availability of H1N1 flu vaccine and to choose to be vaccinated when given the opportunity.
Group Health has now received a limited number of doses of the H1N1 vaccine. They are available from Group Health first to high-risk target groups following priorities set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• Health care and emergency medical services personnel
• Persons from 6 months through 24 years of age
• People from ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
Faculty and staff who are Group Health members and fall within one of these categories should call Group Health to schedule an appointment.
H1N1 flu vaccinations are free when given at a Group Health facility. Group Health members who receive an H1N1 vaccination elsewhere should pay for it and then complete a Group Health claim reimbursement form.
Seasonal flu vaccinations are covered under the applicable plan’s preventive benefits: Alliant Select Plan and Essentials a $20 copay, Alliant Plus a $15 copay (in-network) and 20 percent co-insurance up to a $300 preventative care maximum (out of network).
For more information visit www.ghc.org and look for “What’s New for Our Members” and click on “Flu Prevention & Treatment.” The site is updated daily with information on both seasonal and H1N1 flu.
Resources
A list of online resources is available here.
This Web site will be updated as conditions warrant.