H1N1 vaccinations now available to all

The Region of Waterloo Public Health has announced that H1N1 vaccination clinics welcome all age groups and healthy individuals as well as the priority groups. Health Services has received some adjuvanted vaccine and a larger supply of unadjuvanted vaccine, and clinics are currently scheduled for Friday, November 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Monday, November 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the multi-purpose room of the Student Life Centre. Vaccination clinics will be open to all members of the university community including union, staff, faculty, students and their families.

The following Public Health recommendations for the choice of product for vaccination will guide our decisions about which vaccine you will receive:

1. Pregnant women: Unadjuvanted vaccine, now that it is available. Adjuvanted vaccine is also safe and may be given if specifically requested.
2. Children age 6 months through 9 years: Adjuvanted vaccine because it enhances the immune response in this group.
3. Persons age 10-64 years: Adjuvanted vaccine for those with chronic illness. Unadjuvanted vaccine for healthy persons because this group is capable of mounting the best immune response.
4. Persons age 65 years and above: Adjuvanted vaccine because it enhances the immune response in this group.

Additional clinics will be scheduled on a day-to-day basis depending on vaccine availability.

Influenza reporting for faculty and staff

A memo dated October 9 tells staff and faculty members about the importance of reporting when they are absent from work with an illness that might be the flu. "Occupational Health is tracking influenza-like illness and needs to know the numbers of employees ill," it says. "Supervisors (or delegate) are to report influenza-like illnesses daily via email to eeabsent@uwaterloo.ca, which will be monitored daily by Occupational Health."

Officials have clarified that employees who are absent from work because of presumed influenza do not require doctors' certificates on returning to work.

A background memo with flu information specifically for employees, posted August 27, is also available. There is also a memo from the director of health services with specific guidance on "healthy practices in the workplace".

Students can report flu absences through Quest

UW's provost announced in September that "Effective immediately, and until further notice, verification of illness is not needed for absences resulting from the flu. This decision is based on advice received from health officials, and is consistent with practices at other institutions in Canada." Read the full memo.

A subsequent memo announces that online reporting for absences for “influenza-like illness” is now available to students through Quest. Such reporting is required if a student is seeking accommodation from any instructor for course requirements missed because of an influenza-like illness. Within two calendar days of deciding not to attend class for this reason, the student must report the start date of the absence. Upon returning to class, the student must report the return to class. The online declaration can be used for such illnesses of up to 10 calendar days; longer absences still require completion of the standard Verification of Illness form.

Prevention now, flu vaccine soon

Vaccine against the H1N1 influenza will be available this fall, but “before the vaccine is available, we may begin to see influenza illness in our Region,” says a letter to the university community from Dr. Barbara Schumacher, the university’s medical director of health services.

She writes: “I have been asked, what can we do to protect our personal health and the health of our families and community? We all need to make habitual the practice of prevention strategies highlighted in public health messaging, that is hand hygiene and cough etiquette.”

Read Dr. Schumacher’s full letter to the community, with its links to more information. Also read an information sheet with H1N1 Basics.

Now on the Frequently Asked Questions page

• Are there recommendations for pregnant staff and faculty working in close proximity with students?
• How do I handle the situation when someone comes to class who is coughing and sneezing?
• I have asthma. Do I need to be concerned?
• How would I know if I should see my doctor?
• People are asking whether they should stay home from work when family members appear to be sick. Would the same advice apply to students' roommates?

Letter to students entering residence

A letter from the University Housing Officer asks any students who may have flu symptom to "delay your arrival on campus and in residence until your fever is gone and you are feeling better".

Documents available from province and region

Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health has released a status report on the H1N1 flu virus. The report provides an overview of the virus, its epidemiology, current myths, and what to expect in the coming months in terms of the virus, and provincial and local response efforts. As well, Region of Waterloo Public Health has released guidelines regarding the management of H1N1 in workplaces and post-secondary institutions.

Waterloo, ready for the flu if it comes

The University of Waterloo has a pandemic preparedness plan and will provide the university community with the important information it needs to be aware of while preparing for and guarding against flu this fall.

This web site is a focus for need-to-know information about the H1N1 strain of influenza which medical experts feel may mount a second wave during the fall school term. Here you will find updates and bulletins about H1N1, notices from the university, and any other relevant information about influenza and guarding your health. Keep checking for updates here.