University Health Services (UHS) strongly encourages all students to get vaccinated against both H1N1 and seasonal flu. Public health officials predict that another wave of H1N1 influenza is likely in the U.S. later this winter or spring. Seasonal flu typically increases at this time as well. (more)
Although the United States is currently seeing a decline in influenza-like illness (ILI), other regions of the world including parts of Europe, Asia and the Caribbean still are seeing widespread illness. Public health officials predict that another wave of H1N1 influenza is likely in the U.S. later this winter or spring. An adequate immune response to the vaccine takes approximately 14 days. Getting vaccinated now will prevent illness from H1N1 should the virus cause further outbreaks. It also is a good time to get vaccinated against seasonal flu -- this is the time of year that seasonal influenza outbreaks occur and students are vulnerable to both H1N1 and seasonal influenza. (more)
This week, vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur announced a voluntary, non-safety-related recall of four lots of pediatric H1N1 flu vaccine after it was discovered that the vaccine no longer met potency specifications. None of the doses administered at Penn State are involved in the recall. Children already vaccinated from these lots do not need to be revaccinated, because the small decrease in antigen content is unlikely to result in a significant reduction in immune response. For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control's Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/syringes_qa.htm online.
University Health Services (UHS) at University Park saw a decline in influenza-like illness (ILI) during the week ending Dec. 5. This decline is consistent with current illness patterns throughout the United States. Public health officials predict that another wave of H1N1 influenza is likely later this winter or spring. Getting vaccinated now will prevent illness from H1N1 should the virus cause further outbreaks. (more)
University Health Services (UHS) will distribute H1N1 flu vaccine to Penn State students from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4. While some sources report that the H1N1 flu has peaked, UHS continues to see many students with influenza-like illness (ILI). In addition, public health officials predict that a second wave of the illness is likely later this winter or spring. Getting vaccinated now will prevent illness from H1N1 should the virus cause further outbreaks. (more)
With two epidemics of novel H1N1 flu in 2009, hand washing has been in the news often, but there are many other reasons for keeping our hands clean besides colds and flu. Flu viruses are more likely to reach us through the air after someone with the flu coughs or sneezes, but viruses that cause the common cold are often found on surfaces that we touch, including other people's hands. We pick up the virus on our hands, then if we touch our nose, eyes or mouth we can infect ourselves, notes The Medical Minute, a service of the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. (more)
You might have seen the big green germ hanging out at the HUB-Robeson Center on Penn State's University Park campus recently. In fact, you might have hugged it (many people did), or the germ might have talked to you about how dangerous it can be, especially in large groups of people. That germ costume is giving four students a unique learning opportunity and a chance to help others stay healthy. It is one aspect of the students' internship with the Infection Control and Prevention department of University Health Services (UHS), which also gives them a chance to help coordinate and run vaccination clinics and monitor the spread of H1N1. (more)
University Health Services (UHS) has received 4,000 doses of injectable H1N1 flu vaccine that will be distributed to Penn State students from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4.
Thursday's clinic will be held in 205 Student Health Center on Penn State's University Park campus. Appointments will be available beginning Wednesday, Nov. 25, and must be scheduled online through the UHS Web site at http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/basics/online_access.cfm online. Friday's clinic will be held in 129 HUB-Robeson Center. No appointment is necessary for Friday's clinic.
UHS strongly encourages all students to get vaccinated and students involved in THON in particular should make a point of receiving a vaccination. (more)
Thanksgiving is a time to share, but no one wants to share the flu. University Health Services (UHS) encourages Penn State students to get vaccinated against H1N1 before returning home for the holiday break. A clinic will be held in 205 Student Health Center on Penn State's University Park campus from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, to distribute free H1N1 nasal spray vaccine to students 18 to 24 years of age. (more)
A clinic will be held in 205 Student Health Center on Penn State's University Park campus from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12, to distribute H1N1 nasal spray vaccine to students 24 years of age and younger. Appointments must be scheduled online through the University Health Services (UHS) Web site at http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/basics/online_access.cfm. H1N1 vaccinations are free of charge. (more)