Still Life

A moment of levity: Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates celebrated with the Nittany Lion after commencement ceremonies, held May 5 at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pa.

Commencement across Penn State: Spring 2012

New graduates of Penn State's Eberly College of Science listened to the commencement address provided by United States Secretary of Energy Steven Chu during spring 2012 graduation ceremonies held May 5 at the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus.

Spring commencement 2012 under way

A Moroccan farmer taught Penn State students about the properties of vetiver grass, including its ability to clean wastewater. The grass could be used as part of a solution to water-quality problems being experienced in Assoul, Morocco, where students spent time recently.

Penn State, Moroccan students problem-solve together

Anjelica Fortunato, left, and Jeffrey Lu reviewed for their Anatomy 129 final exam on May 1 on the HUB-Robeson Center Lawn on Penn State's University Park campus. Penn State students are preparing for and taking final exams throughout the week as spring semester 2012 comes to a close.

Finals Week Spring Semester 2012

Denae Taylor, right, tried on some electrical-safety gear with the help of Joe Dinardo, Supervisor of Facilty Resources at Penn State, during Penn State's annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day on April 26. Denae is the granddaughter of Penn State Outreach employee Betty Lose, and attends Bellefonte Middle School.

Children explore career options at University Park

Featured Video

Painting the Lines at Beaver Stadium

Painting the Lines at Beaver Stadium

Did They Get It Right? - RedTails

Did They Get It Right? - RedTails

Iconic Penn State elm taken down over spring break 2012

Iconic Penn State elm taken down over spring break 2012

We ... are Penn State (December 19, 2011)

We ... are Penn State (December 19, 2011)

Disease stricken matching elm tree slated for removal

Disease stricken matching elm tree slated for removal

Penn State's creamery, from the cow to the cone

Penn State's creamery, from the cow to the cone

Updates:
Penn State Promise

Board of Trustees launches new website

Faculty Senate recaps 2011-12 activity for Board of Trustees

Frazier provides update on Special Investigations Task Force

Board of Trustees meeting to be streamed live

Penn State donates more than $2.6 million to abuse prevention efforts

H1N1 Update: Oct. 20, 2009

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified individuals 24 years of age and younger as high risk for contracting H1N1 influenza. University Health Services (UHS) now has a limited supply of H1N1 nasal spray vaccine available for students in this high risk group.

The nasal spray is a live vaccine. The vaccine virus is attenuated, or weakened, so it will not cause illness in healthy individuals. However, women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not receive the nasal spray vaccine. Additionally, students with the following conditions should avoid the live vaccine:

  • Asthma or chronic respiratory disease
  • Any long-term health problem or disease such as heart disease, kidney or liver disease, diabetes, anemia or other blood disorders
  • Allergies to egg, gelatin or arginine (a protein amino acid)

The H1N1 nasal spray vaccine does not contain thimerosal, a preservative used in the injectable vaccine. Therefore nasal vaccine is appropriate for healthy students who are allergic or sensitive to thimerosal and students who wish to avoid needles.

H1N1 vaccination appointments must be scheduled online through the UHS Web site at http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/basics/online_access.cfm. H1N1 vaccinations are free of charge.

The seasonal flu vaccine clinic scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 27, has been canceled due to temporary vaccine shortages. An additional date has been added to the flu clinic schedule on Nov. 10 in Heritage Hall at the HUB-Robeson Center. Seasonal flu clinics will also be held Nov. 9 and 11, in Alumni Hall at the HUB-Robeson Center.

Vaccination against both seasonal and H1N1 influenza is recommended for college students. It is possible to contract both the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu since exposure to one does not give immunity to the other. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site provides information that can help students make informed decisions about vaccination at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm and http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm.