H1N1 vaccinations arrive

UW-Whitewater received its first shipment of H1N1 Influenza vaccinations last week. The shipment included 300 doses of the vaccine, authorized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to vaccinate health care employees and persons at high risk free of charge. The CDC planned to have 40 million doses of the vaccination available by the end of October; however, they have only produced about 16 million as of Friday. "It has been our hope that we will receive a sufficient amount of vaccinations for campus," Director of University Health and Counseling Services Ruth Swisher said. "Current Public Health reports indicate that there are vaccine delays. We will advise campus as soon as we know what can be offered." Swisher said that UHCS has seen several students with flu-like symptoms per week, with an increase noted this past week. Cases are reported via personal phone calls, calls from parents, as well as faculty and staff reports of students dismissing themselves to isolate and recover as recommended by the CDC. "According to Public Health reports, it is likely that illness will continue," Swisher said. "It may have peaks and reductions as the wave of infections progresses, and we will likely see some level of illness continue for months to come." President Barack Obama declared H1N1 Influenza a national emergency Saturday, citing the increasing rates of illness nationwide as the driving force of the proclamation. According to the CDC website, since the H1N1 flu pandemic began in April, millions of people in the United States have been infected, at least 20,000 have been hospitalized and more than 1,000 have died. "Persons are advised to follow common sense prevention measures of hand washing, cough etiquette, social distancing of at least six feet, and self-isolation while ill until at least 24 hours post fever," Swisher said. Go to the UHCS Web site for more information about H1N1 virus and vaccination, self-evaluation techniques.

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