H1N1 Flu Emergency Preparedness Communication Bulletin

2/9/10

TAGS: Faculty/Staff, Parents, Faculty, Staff, Community & Visitors, Emergency Preparedness, President's Office, Provost Office, Public Safety, Residential Life, Student Life Office

Important Links

Champlain's Emergency Preparedness Web site

Flu Reference Guide for Faculty, Staff and Students

This is information about Champlain College activities related to H1N1 Flu and emergency preparedness in general will be updated as necessary.

Update: Feb. 9, 2010

Free H1N1 vaccine clinics are available in the Burlington and Chittenden County area. For details, please contact Cecilia McClellan, RN, Director of Health Services for Champlain College, (802) 860-2711. Champlain Health Services is located in Whiting Hall.

If you have specific questions about H1N1 flu or the steps Champlain College is taking in its emergency preparedness planning, please visit the contact section of our Emergency Preparedness Web site at: http://www.champlain.edu/Emergency-Preparedness/Contacts.html

January 21, 2010

Champlain College is pleased to announce to its community that it will host the Visiting Nurses Association's H1N1 Clinic on campus, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Hauke Conference Room.

The free H1N1 vaccine clinic is open to everyone - the Champlain community and family members as well as our friends in the greater Burlington community.

If you have questions about receiving a flu shot or concerns about the flu because of underlying health issues, please contact Cecilia McClellan, RN, Director of Health Services for Champlain College, (802) 860-2711. Champlain Health Services is located in Whiting Hall.
If you have specific questions about H1N1 flu or the steps Champlain College is taking in its emergency preparedness planning, please visit the contact section of our Emergency Preparedness Web site at: http://www.champlain.edu/Emergency-Preparedness/Contacts.html

December 9, 2009

The College reports that the number of persons reporting flu-like symptoms throughout its campus community is down.

This semester's last free H1N1 flu vaccine clinic for students ages 18-24 will be held Thursday, Dec. 10 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Champlain College Health Services office in Whiting Hall.

As an alternative, health officials recommend students make arrangements to receive a H1N1 vaccine while at home over the holiday break before returning to classes on Jan. 11, 2010.

As always, persons experiencing flu-like symptoms are being urged to be pro-active in their health care and either self-isolate themselves or stay at home to reduce the spread of the illness and to follow established Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for prevention and treatment.

If you have questions about receiving a flu shot or concerns about the flu because of underlying health issues, please contact Cecilia McClellan, RN, Director of Health Services for Champlain College, (802) 860-2711. Champlain Health Services is located in Whiting Hall.

If you have specific questions about H1N1 flu or the steps Champlain College is taking in its emergency preparedness planning, please visit the contact section of our Emergency Preparedness Web site at: http://www.champlain.edu/Emergency-Preparedness/Contacts.html

December 2, 2009

The College continues to experience persons reporting flu-like symptoms throughout its campus community. Champlain Health Services suggest that students between the ages of 18 and 24 take advantage of the available H1N1 vaccine available through the Champlain College clinics or make arrangements to receive a vaccine while at home over the holiday break. Clinics are announced to students through e-mail notification.

The CDC and Vermont Department of Health have issued an advisory suggesting there may be a resurgence of H1N1 during the traditional flu season of January and February.
As always, persons experiencing flu-like symptoms are being urged to be pro-active in their health care and either self-isolate themselves or stay at home to reduce the spread of the illness and to follow established Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for prevention and treatment.

November 18, 2009

Champlain College continues to actively monitor the incidence of flu among our communities through weekly attendance surveys provided by our faculty and staff and direct reports to the Champlain Health Services and Student Life Office.
Champlain College continues to experience persons reporting flu-like symptoms throughout its campus community. Champlain Health Services suggest that students between the ages of 18 and 24 who are returning to their home for the Thanksgiving Week break consider getting a H1N1 flu vaccine if available.

Persons with flu-like symptoms are being urged to be pro-active in their health care and either self-isolate themselves or stay at home to reduce the spread of the illness and to follow established Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for prevention and treatment.

If you have questions about receiving a flu shot or concerns about the flu because of underlying health issues, please contact Cecilia McClellan, RN, Director of Health Services for Champlain College, (802) 860-2711. Champlain Health Services is located in Whiting Hall.

If you have specific questions about H1N1 flu or the steps Champlain College is taking in its emergency preparedness planning, please visit the contact section of our Emergency Preparedness Web site at: http://www.champlain.edu/Emergency-Preparedness/Contacts.html

November 11, 2009

Champlain College continues to actively monitor the incidence of flu among our communities through weekly attendance surveys provided by our faculty and staff and direct reports to the Champlain Health Services and Student Life Office.

IN THE NEWS: A report aired Monday, Nov. 9, on WCAX-TV in Burlington focusing on Champlain College's preparations and planning related to a possible H1N1 flu pandemic.

To see the full report online,
http://www.wcax.com/global/video.asp?clipId=4285778&autostart=true

Champlain College continues to experience persons reporting flu-like symptoms throughout its campus community. Champlain Health Services has a limited number of H1N1 flu vaccine doses available. While we are hopeful that we will receive more vaccine soon and high-risk students have had the opportunity to be vaccinated, Health Services will be focusing the remaining supplies on vaccinating students between the ages of 18 and 24.
Persons with flu-like symptoms are being urged to be pro-active in their health care and either self-isolate themselves or stay at home to reduce the spread of the illness and to follow established Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for prevention and treatment.

If you have questions about receiving a flu shot or concerns about the flu because of underlying health issues, please contact Cecilia McClellan, RN, Director of Health Services for Champlain College, (802) 860-2711. Champlain Health Services is located in Whiting Hall.
If you have specific questions about H1N1 flu or the steps Champlain College is taking in its emergency preparedness planning, please visit the contact section of our Emergency Preparedness Web site at: http://www.champlain.edu/Emergency-Preparedness/Contacts.html

November 4, 2009

Champlain Health Services has a limited number of H1N1 flu vaccine doses available. While we are hopeful that we will receive more vaccine soon and high-risk students have had the opportunity to be vaccinated, Health Services will focusing the remaining supplies on vaccinating students between the ages of 18 and 23.

A supply of seasonal flu vaccine is also available for students. Both flu shots are FREE to registered Champlain College students. As we receive more vaccines we will alert the Champlain College community to clinic times through email.

At the Champlain Abroad Dublin Campus the H1N1 vaccine is being made available to students beginning Friday, Nov. 6.
At the Champlain Abroad Montreal Campus health officials are now estimating that the H1N1 will be available to the general public beginning Dec. 7.

Champlain College continues to experience an increase in flu-like symptoms throughout its campus community. We do have confirmed cases of H1N1 among our students, faculty and staff. There are an additional number of suspected cases reported.

Persons with flu-like symptoms are being urged to be pro-active in their health care and either self-isolate themselves or stay at home to reduce the spread of the illness and to follow established Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for prevention and treatment.
If you have questions about receiving a flu shot or concerns about the flu because of underlying health issues, please contact Cecilia McClellan, RN, Director of Health Services for Champlain College, (802) 860-2711. Champlain Health Services is located in Whiting Hall.

October 28, 2009

Champlain College continues to actively monitor the incidence of flu among our communities through weekly attendance surveys provided by our faculty and staff and direct reports to the Champlain Health Services and Student Life Office.
As with many colleges and universities across the country, Champlain College is experiencing an increase in flu-like symptoms throughout its community. We do have confirmed cases of H1N1 among our students, faculty and staff. There are an additional number of suspected cases reported.
Persons with flu-like symptoms are being urged to be pro-active in their health care and either self-isolate themselves or stay at home during the illness and follow established Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.
Champlain Health Services has a limited number of H1N1 flu vaccine doses available. While we are hopeful that we will receive more vaccine soon, we want to insure that students in certain groups have access to the vaccine in accordance with the CDC Prevention guidelines. These groups are:
• Students who have a chronic medical condition: such as Chronic pulmonary, i.e. asthma; Cardiovascular; Neurological or Neuromuscular; Metabolic Disorders, i.e. diabetes; Immunosuppressed condition; and AIDS.

· Pregnant students.

· Students enrolled in Radiography or working with preschoolers.

The H1N1 vaccine clinics for the students listed above are scheduled for:

· Today, Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Health Services in Whiting Hall

• Friday, Oct. 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Hauke Conference Room

A supply of seasonal flu vaccine is also available for any students. The flu shots are FREE to registered Champlain College students. As we receive more vaccines we will alert the Champlain College community to additional clinics.
If you have questions about receiving a flu shot or concerns about the flu because of underlying health issues, please contact Cecilia McClellan, RN, Director of Health Services for Champlain College, (802) 860-2711. Champlain Health Services is located in Whiting Hall.
If you have specific questions about H1N1 flu or the steps Champlain College is taking in its emergency preparedness planning, please visit the contact section of our Emergency Preparedness Web site at: http://www.champlain.edu/Emergency-Preparedness/Contacts.html

October 14, 2009

Champlain College continues to actively monitor the incidence of flu among our communities through weekly attendance surveys provided by our faculty and staff and direct reports to the Champlain Health Services and Student Life Office.

Champlain's Health Services reports normal levels of activity with general seasonal illnesses. There are no confirmed cases of H1N1 at this time at any of Champlain's campuses.

A seasonal flu shot clinic schedule for students has been announced and an email detailing times was sent to Champlain College students today.

If you have questions about receiving a flu shot or concerns about the flu because of underlying health issues, please contact Cecilia McClellan, RN, Director of Health Services for Champlain College, (802) 860-2711. Champlain Health Services is located in Whiting Hall.

If you have specific questions about H1N1 flu or the steps Champlain College is taking in its emergency preparedness planning, please visit the contact section of our Emergency Preparedness Web site at: http://www.champlain.edu/Emergency-Preparedness/Contacts.html

October 7, 2009

Champlain's Health Services reports normal levels of activity with general seasonal illnesses. There are no confirmed cases of H1N1 at this time at any of Champlain's campuses.

If you have questions about receiving flu shots or concerns about the flu because of underlying health issues, please contact Cecilia McClellan, RN, Director of Health Services for Champlain College, (802) 860-2711. Champlain Health Services is located in Whiting Hall.

http://www.champlain.edu/Emergency-Preparedness/Contacts.html

September 30, 2009

Champlain College continues to actively monitor the incidence of flu among our communities through weekly attendance surveys provided by our faculty and staff and direct reports to the Champlain Health Services and Student Life Office.
Champlain's Health Services reports normal levels of activity with general seasonal illnesses. There are no confirmed cases of H1N1 at this time at any of Champlain's campuses.
Champlain Health Services has ordered the flu vaccines - both seasonal and H1N1 - for distribution free of charge to students, faculty and staff. Further details will be communicated in an email from Health Services when the vaccine arrives.
If you have questions or concerns about the flu because of underlying health issues, please contact Champlain Health Services in Whiting Hall at 802-860-2711 for additional information.
If you have specific questions about H1N1 flu or the steps Champlain College is taking in its emergency preparedness planning, please visit the contact section of our Emergency Preparedness Web site at:
http://www.champlain.edu/Emergency-Preparedness/Contacts.html

September 23, 2009

There continues to be no confirmed cases of H1N1 at this time at any of Champlain's campuses. Champlain's Health Services reports normal levels of activity with general seasonal illnesses.

The College continues to actively monitor the incidence of flu among our communities through weekly attendance surveys provided by our faculty and staff and direct reports to the Champlain Health Office and Student Life Office.

Members of the Champlain community are encouraged to visit the Emergency Preparedness Web site http://www.champlain.edu/Emergency-Preparedness.html for information about the flu, answers to frequently asked questions about pandemic flu, steps you can take to prevent the spread of the flu, and detailed information about Champlain sick leave and missed class policies.

September 16, 2009

There are no confirmed cases of H1N1 at this time at any of Champlain's campuses and general seasonal illness appears to be below normal expectations. The College continues to actively monitor the incidence of flu among our communities through weekly attendance surveys provided by our faculty and staff and direct reports to the Champlain Health Office and Student Life Office.

Seasonal flu vaccines have been ordered by Champlain College and will be distributed free to students, faculty and staff. Clinic times on campus will be announced when the vaccine arrives. The Champlain College Health Office has also requested H1N1 flu vaccines from the Vermont State Department of Health and we are waiting for confirmation.

New information from the Champlain College Human Resources Department on policies and procedures for employees has been posted to the Emergency Preparedness information on Champlain College's Web site, http://www.champlain.edu/Emergency-Preparedness.html.

Members of the Champlain community are encouraged to visit the site for information about the flu, frequently asked questions about pandemic flu, steps to prevent the spread of the flu, and information about Champlain sick leave and missed class policies.

Please note that the announcement of this week's message is being distributed using the campus-wide email alert system to test its effectiveness.

If you have specific questions about H1N1 flu or the steps Champlain College is taking in its emergency preparedness planning, visit the contact section of our Emergency Preparedness Web site at http://www.champlain.edu/Emergency-Preparedness/Contacts.html

September 9, 2009

H1N1 Flu Emergency Preparedness Communication Weekly Bulletin

Beginning this week, Champlain College will send out status updates about College activities related to H1N1 Flu and emergency preparedness in general. These updates will be posted on the Web site each Wednesday or more frequently if necessary.

Champlain College takes emergency planning and preparedness seriously. We are committed to a goal of minimizing the educational and social disruption for our students, faculty and staff. A committee representing all aspects of Champlain College is continuously working together to be sure the College is prepared for a range of emergencies. This is an ongoing process and these updates are part of keeping the Champlain community informed on a regular basis.

The current situation on the campus in Burlington, Vt., is that the Health Center is seeing an increase in students suffering from allergies but has not seen any students so far this semester with flu-like symptoms. There are no confirmed cases of H1N1 at this time at any of Champlain's campuses and general seasonal illness appears to be below normal expectations.

The College is actively monitoring the incidence of flu among our communities through weekly attendance surveys provided by our faculty and staff. We will report only confirmed cases of H1N1 flu reported to our Health Services Office. The data is reported regularly to an Emergency Preparedness Committee which meets regularly to review the status and ensure appropriate steps are being taken and communications is being provided.

We continue to remind students, faculty and staff that there is Emergency Preparedness information on Champlain College's Web site, http://www.champlain.edu/Emergency-Preparedness.html for additional information and a reference guide to download. On this web site you can find information about the flu, frequently asked questions about pandemic flu, steps to prevent the spread of the flu, and information about Champlain sick leave and missed class policies.

Please take a moment to review the resources within this site to familiarize yourself with the information. These pages will be a resource for communities both inside and outside the College during times of emergency.

If you have specific questions about H1N1 flu or the steps Champlain College is taking in its emergency preparedness planning, visit the contact section of our Emergency Preparedness Web site at http://www.champlain.edu/Emergency-Preparedness/Contacts.html

August 27, 2009

Dear Students and Parents,

As the academic year begins, the College has made plans in the event we experience a more active than usual flu season. Jointly, we are taking steps to prevent the spread of flu at Champlain College and have outlined below the steps that each of us can take to help accomplish this. Our overall goal is to balance the goal of reducing the number of people who become ill from influenza with the goal of minimizing educational and social disruption. Information and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guide our communications and policies.

Practices that can help limit the spread of illness include:

Practicing good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
Practicing respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of the flu. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. Look for possible signs of fever: if the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.
Staying home, in your residence hall room, or your apartment if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Don't go to class or work.
Talking with your health care provider about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu. Also if you are at higher risk for flu complications from 2009 H1N1 flu, the CDC recommends you consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. Because college students are in the high risk category given their age, the College strongly recommends both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 vaccinations. The cost of these vaccinations would be covered by the College.

In the event that this year's flu season becomes more severe, we may take the following additional steps to prevent the spread of the virus:

Encourage students at higher risk for complications to return to or stay at home. These students should make this decision in consultation with their personal health care provider or the College's Health Services.
Suspend classes. The length of time classes would be suspended will depend on the goal of suspending classes as well as the severity and extent of illness. If we close, it will be for at least a week. Depending on the length of time classes are suspended, arrangements have been made to continue offering the majority of our classes through a virtual on-line environment.
Implement Evacuation Plans: Should the College need to close on short notice, all residential students have completed an evacuation plan identifying the place they would go in the event of an emergency closing. We encourage students and families to discuss this plan so students are reminded of where to go if the need arises.

Because information and recommendations continue to be forthcoming from the CDC, we recommend checking our web site regularly (www.champlain.edu). If you have specific questions we can help with, please call Mary Kay Kennedy, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Life at 802-865-5412 or by e-mail at kennedym@champlain.edu. Other resources that may be helpful include:

Champlain College Health Services, 802-860-2711, or mcclellan@champlain.edu

Champlain College Residential Life, 802-865-6428, or Mikell@champlain.edu

Champlain Abroad, 802-383-6633, or jcross@champlain.edu, or www.cdc.gov/travel

The College continues to work closely with the Vermont Health Department to monitor flu conditions and will make decisions about the best steps to take concerning our institution. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available to us.

Mary Kay Kennedy, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Life
Champlain College. 802-865-5412
E-mail: kennedym@champlain.edu