Flu vaccine encouraged for all faculty, staff

With the campus outbreak of H1N1 influenza heading into a third week, UW–Madison faculty and staff are encouraged to learn about and take advantage of upcoming vaccination opportunities.

This year, there will be two different vaccinations: the seasonal flu shot (the “regular” or “normal” flu shot that is offered every year) and the 2009 H1N1 flu shot.

Many local providers and clinics have already started giving the seasonal flu shot. In addition, seasonal flu shot clinics for UW–Madison employees will be provided at 12 campus locations beginning Monday, Nov. 3, and running through Friday, Nov. 14. For a full list of dates and locations, visit http://flu.wisc.edu.

UW–Madison has set a goal of immunizing 5,000 faculty, academic and classified staff, says Jim Morrison, occupational health officer.

The seasonal flu vaccine is formulated to protect against other strains of influenza virus that are expected to circulate this year. It does not provide protection against the 2009 H1N1 virus. The H1N1 vaccine is not expected to be available until sometime in October.

Seasonal flu shots are especially important for people in the following groups: people of any age with chronic medical conditions, children aged 6 months to 19 years, pregnant women, people over 50 years of age, and people who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including health care workers, household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu, household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated).

To limit the spread of disease in the community, all staff and students are encouraged to get a seasonal flu shot each year. In addition, campus researchers who work with flu viruses or other agents that may cause influenza-like illness should receive both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccinations.

Faculty and staff have the option of waiting for the campus clinics, contacting their health care provider at any time or going to a community clinic to arrange vaccinations according to their recommendations and availability. The following list of providers is able to assist:

Dean, 250-1383.
GHC, https://ghcscw.com/seasonal%5Fflu.asp, 828-4853.
Unity, 800–362–3310.
Home Health United, 241-7279.
Walgreens Take Care Clinics, 866–825–3227.

Payment for employee vaccinations offered on campus will be processed directly to the employee’s state health insurance provider. If you go to an out-of-network provider such as a community clinic, you may have to pay first and then seek reimbursement.

For employees with Dean Care, Physicians Plus, Group Health Cooperative or Unity health insurance, flu shots are administered at no charge if you bring your insurance card with you to the campus clinic.

If you do not bring your insurance card with you, a fee of $30 for the flu shot will be required. If you pay for the shot on site, a receipt will be provided so you can obtain reimbursement from your health insurance provider. Please plan to pay with cash or check.

The current estimate for H1N1 vaccine is that it would be delivered in mid–October, and the CDC will be directing it to be used first for certain target groups, such as pregnant women, health care workers, and people with high-risk health conditions. If the vaccine is available when the seasonal flu shot clinics for employees are held in November, UW–Madison plans to offer H1N1 vaccines to employees who fall into the CDC’s “target groups.”

Fewer clinic visits in third week of outbreak

The number of students contacting University Health Services (UHS) about flu-like symptoms decreased in week 3 of the semester. In the week of Sept. 13–19, UHS evaluated 168 students for influenza-like illness (ILI). ILI visits made up 12.6 percent of the total visits to the primary care clinic for the week.

In the previous week, ILI visits represented 28 percent of all primary care visits, and UHS evaluated 345 students with flu-like symptoms.

“It is much too early to pronounce the outbreak over,” says Sarah Van Orman, executive director of UHS. “However, the students of this campus should be commended for taking steps to try to limit the spread of disease.”

By going home, or staying home, when they’re sick, students are putting the campus community first, and we really appreciate the way they’re responding to this challenge.”

UHS first began seeing an increase in ILI on Sept. 1, the day before the start of classes. The unusual number of cases has been attributed to the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, which is known to be extremely infectious to young adults.

No hospitalizations of students with ILI have been reported to UHS.

In general, students, faculty and staff are being advised not to attend class or work if suffering from flu-like symptoms.

Students should be excused from assignments and classes, with the expectation that work is made up within a reasonable amount of time. Medical excuses will not be given by Offices of the Dean of Students or UHS, nor should they be requested by faculty.