Bishop Wellness Center administered 100 doses of H1N1 vaccine this week. We are lucky to have a partner in our local county health department, which is ordering vaccine on our behalf, and we anticipate a second shipment of vaccine sometime in the next few weeks. We will announce additional immunization clinics via email and on this website as soon as we learn that the vaccine is on its way.

We are committed to offering all Willamette University community members the chance to get vaccinated against H1N1 influenza and thank you for your patience in this undertaking.

Bishop Wellness Center continues to diagnose about two to three cases of influenza in our student population each day. This week the CDC updated guidelines for influenza treatment, which includes prompt evaluation by a health care provider and antiviral medications. Symptoms that warrant a call to your health care provider (for students, that means the Bishop Wellness Center) include sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, nausea and sore throat. About 15 percent of flu cases also experience gastrointestinal symptoms.

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Inhaled Form of H1N1 Vaccine Available

Willamette University received its first allotment of H1N1 vaccine from Marion County this week. We only have the inhaled version of the vaccine at this time.

We are holding a free immunization clinic Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 11:30 to 1 p.m. on the second floor of Putnam University Center. This clinic is open to Willamette students, faculty and staff.

Even though the priority groups for H1N1 vaccination include pregnant women and people with asthma or other underlying health conditions, it is not appropriate for them to receive the inhaled version of the vaccine. We expect to be able to offer the injectable vaccine to these groups in the coming weeks. Check this website for updates.

The inhaled form of the H1N1 vaccine is most appropriate for:

• Anyone younger than 25 who does not have asthma or other health conditions
• Anyone younger than 50 who does not have asthma or other health conditions if they are:
  • medical or safety responders
  • caregivers to young children

We expect to administer all of our current shipment of inhaled doses at the Oct. 20 clinic and will not be giving the vaccine in Bishop Wellness Center at this time. More vaccine clinics will be scheduled as we receive shipments.

Update on Seasonal Flu Vaccine for Willamette Employees

The seasonal flu shot clinic for employees that was previously scheduled for Monday, Oct. 26, has been moved to Monday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge.

The manufacturer that provides the seasonal flu vaccine to Maxim Health Services, Willamette’s flu shot clinic provider, is experiencing significant supply shortages, which required us to reschedule this clinic. This is consistent with news of significant shortages of seasonal flu vaccine throughout the U.S.

We plan to keep the same sign-up schedule from the earlier clinic date, and the same time slots are still available. Registration for faculty and staff only is available through WISE. To revise or cancel your original appointment time, contact Suzie Torre-Cross in Human Resources at 503-370-6210.

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For the first time since school began, Bishop Wellness Center has seen a decrease in influenza cases this week. This speaks to successful prevention efforts and effective self-isolation of ill students. Prevention includes frequent hand washing and practicing cough etiquette if you are ill.

Willamette will soon have the opportunity to vaccinate against H1N1. We are anticipating receiving vaccines from Marion County in the next few weeks. Vaccination is the best tool against the virus, because not only does it prevent people from becoming severely ill, it also prevents the spread of flu in our community.

Watch this page and your email for immunization clinic announcements.

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As the first H1N1 vaccine doses are being shipped around the country, Oregon public health officials expect there will be enough vaccine in Oregon to begin widespread vaccination around the middle October.

The first vaccine doses will arrive in nasal spray form, although both the nasal spray and injectable vaccine will be available over the course of the season.

The nasal spray vaccine is as effective as a shot for healthy people between ages 2 and 49. However, health officials recommend that some groups wait for the injectable vaccine, including: pregnant women, children younger than 2, and people with asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases.

The injectable vaccine is expected to begin arriving in substantial quantities later in October. Based on preliminary clinical studies, both types of 2009 H1N1 vaccines provide excellent immunity eight to 10 days after a single dose, as occurs with the seasonal influenza vaccine.

Bishop Wellness Center will be announcing H1N1 immunization clinics for the Willamette community as soon as the vaccine is received. Watch your email and this website for further information.

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Bishop Wellness Center continues to diagnose students with Type A Influenza on campus. It is presumed that these cases are the new H1N1 type of flu, as it is the only influenza type A that is circulating in Oregon at this time.

Students with the flu are advised to self isolate while they are ill, which may be a week or longer. Students should keep away from others as much as possible, including not going to class or other activities, for at least 24 hours after fever subsides without the use of fever-reducing medicine. Please see the FAQs for symptoms and treatment of influenza.

Bishop Wellness Center is anticipating receiving H1N1 vaccine soon and will administer immunizations to the Willamette community, including students, faculty and staff. The CDC notes that this immunization is an excellent match with the currently circulating H1N1 virus and will provide exceptional illness protection. One dose will be sufficient for people who are over 10 years old. Watch this site for H1N1 immunization clinic announcements.

The whole campus is taking part in prevention efforts, and you can do your part. Assess your living or work space for germ hot-spots, and address them. For example, remove communal candy bowls during this flu season and keep frequently used surfaces, such as shared counters and desks, clean. Disinfecting wipes and sprays work well. Most importantly, remember to wash your hands or use sanitizing gel often.

Willamette Employee Seasonal Flu Shot Clinics

Employee clinics will be held Thursday, Oct. 8 and Monday, Oct. 26. Each clinic will run from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. In order to receive a seasonal flu shot, you must schedule a time through WISE. Due to the volume of responses we get to this clinic, please be advised that flu shots will not be scheduled over the phone or via email. Visit the FAQs for more on how to schedule a seasonal flu shot.

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Now that the 2009-10 academic year is officially underway, we would like to reinforce our message about flu prevention and treatment. As expected, there are few confirmed cases of influenza on campus. Public health officials assume that many individuals will contract the flu during this year's flu season. Each of us plays a role in keeping our campus safe and healthy. Careful health hygiene can stop the spread of illness to others. We have added a list of FAQs for both students and employees to this website which addresses how to prevent the spread of the illness, what you should do if you become ill, and whom to contact for assistance.

We suggest you bookmark this site because it will updated regularly and it will serve as the University's primary source of information regarding the flu on campus.

Please also direct all media inquiries about the flu situation on campus to the office of Marketing Communications immediately (X6278). This office will respond on behalf of the University. Please send any have questions not otherwise addressed by this website to flu-info@willamette.edu.

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As students return to campus for the fall semester, Willamette University is continuing to monitor the flu situation locally and globally, and is prepared for possible flu cases on campus.

The 2009 H1N1 virus is currently circulating in Oregon, and it is the predominant flu virus in circulation worldwide. On June 11, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6, which means that a global pandemic is underway and there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of the world. However, the alert level is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of the illness caused by the virus.

The best prevention for both H1N1 and seasonal influenza is to receive flu immunizations. Other effective prevention measures include avoiding germs through frequent hand-washing, cough etiquette (coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your sleeve, not your hands) and social distancing (avoiding large groups and contact with sick people).

University administrators will continue to work with the Marion County Health Department to evaluate the flu situation on campus and in the region so that we can respond appropriately to any cases among the Willamette community.

Immunizations - Seasonal Flu

The Bishop Wellness Center has partnered with Marion County to offer FluMist, an inhaled immunization, to students free of charge. This immunization only covers seasonal flu, not H1N1. Students with pulmonary issues, such as asthma, are not able to receive the inhaled immunization.

• Bishop will hold a FluMist immunization clinic for students Thursday, Aug. 27, from 8 to 11 a.m. near the Opening Days information booth on the patio adjacent to Goudy Commons.
• After that, students can come to Bishop for the immunization on a first-come, first-served basis until the allotment of 200 doses is gone.
• If you miss this free opportunity, seasonal flu shot clinics will take place in the fall for Willamette students and employees. These immunizations will be available for a nominal fee. Watch for an announcement in September about these clinics, or check this website.

Immunizations - H1N1 Flu

The vaccine for the H1N1 virus is different from the one for regular seasonal flu. Two doses may be needed to achieve immunity.

• The H1N1 vaccine is in production and is expected to be available in mid-October. When it is available, the Marion County Health Department will distribute free doses, in both inhaled and shot form, to Bishop Wellness Center for the Willamette community.
• Priority will be given to students and employees who fall into high-risk populations, including people ages 19 to 24, pregnant women, caregivers to young children, and people ages 25 to 64 with chronic medical conditions.

If You Become Ill

The symptoms of both seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus are the same, including a sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, nausea and sore throat. If you become sick, the duration of the illness can be limited with antiviral medications given at the first sign of symptoms.

Students with symptoms can visit Bishop for an in-office flu test, and they will be treated with antiviral medications if appropriate - Bishop has a large supply of face masks to prevent germ spread in the waiting room, if needed. Ill students are advised to stay home while they are contagious, which is until 24 hours after the fever resolves. The entire duration can last from three to five days. Employees who are sick should contact their health care provider and stay home until they are no longer contagious, as they would with any other contagious illness.

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No cases of the 2009 H1N1 virus have emerged at Willamette University. Final exams are over and students are moving out of the residence halls as we prepare to welcome families and friends for commencement activities.

If you have been exposed to H1N1 flu or have flu-like symptoms, we please ask you to please not attend or participate in commencement events to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others.

Bishop Wellness Center will continue to see patients through Friday, May 15. During the summer, Bishop will remain in contact with the Marion County Health Department, which is monitoring the new H1N1 virus in the Salem community. Students seeking information during the summer can contact nurses at Bishop at 503-370-6062.

There have not been any changes to scheduled Willamette post-session trips abroad. The World Health Organization is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the H1N1 virus. The Centers for Disease Control has provided guidance for the public on what to do if you become sick with flu-like symptoms, including infection with H1N1.

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Willamette University still has not had any cases of 2009 H1N1 virus, and the Bishop Wellness Center has not seen any students with influenza-like illness since the H1N1 alert began. Willamette is continuing to monitor the situation in the greater community.

Public health officials have confirmed 48 cases of 2009 H1N1 flu in Oregon. The Centers for Disease Control no longer recommends that post-secondary educational institutions cancel classes or other large gatherings. Instead, community members are urged to distance themselves from others if they become sick. Individuals who are ill should delay travel plans, and returning travelers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care. These recommendations are prudent measures which can limit the spread of many communicable diseases, including influenza.

Students are reminded to practice cough and sneeze etiquette as they take their final examinations. Willamette has acquired additional handwashing stations for campus areas where students share equipment such as microscopes and computer keyboards.

The World Health Organization is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the H1N1 virus.

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As you have no doubt learned from media reports, several cases of the 2009 H1N1 virus, previously known as "swine flu," have been confirmed in Oregon. We want you to be aware of precautions we are taking at Willamette University, as well as places where you can find more information.

• At this time, we have not had any cases of this new virus at Willamette.
• University officials are working with the local health department to monitor the situation in Oregon and worldwide.
• At this time, all university programs and activities will proceed as scheduled, including classes, examinations, commencement and summer programs.
• Bishop Wellness Center will evaluate and test students and prescribe antiviral medications that are effective at treating the H1N1 virus. Students who exhibit flu-like symptoms should call the health center at 503-370-6062. After hours or on weekends, students should call Campus Safety at 503-370-6911 for assistance. Faculty and staff should contact their health care providers. Anyone with symptoms should limit their physical contact with others to slow the spread of the illness.

If a probable case of H1N1 influenza is discovered at Willamette, the county health department has the authority to order the university to close campus and cancel activities, as has occurred at some other schools in Oregon. The Centers for Disease Control has indicated that while young adults are susceptible, they are unlikely to be endangered by contracting H1N1. However, health officials might consider a campus closure to prevent students who may have been exposed from spreading the virus to more vulnerable populations, namely infants and the elderly.

Although Willamette is a private institution, it is subject to the rules and laws designed to prevent the spread of this highly contagious illness. Even though the new CDC guidelines no longer call for school closure with a single case of H1N1, we are prepared to respond to a closure if so directed by health officials.

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• Academic programs: If health officials direct Willamette to suspend university operations, the university will provide alternate arrangements for class or examination schedules such that students will be able to complete their exams and other final course requirements in as timely a manner as possible. That information will be posted on this website.
• Residence halls will remain open through the end of the academic term. We will comply with county health officials' directives to prevent the spread of the illness, which may include limiting sick students' contact with others.
• We will provide food for all students living on campus through the academic term. We may alter our food service delivery operations as advised by health care professionals to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
• All non-academic activities and events will be suspended.
• Bishop Wellness Center will remain open to evaluate, test and treat students with flu-like symptoms.

All commencement activities will proceed as planned, unless health officials close the university due to cases of the virus. In the event that the university is forced to close, Willamette will make every effort to communicate the closure as quickly as possible. Because information will be posted on this website, please check it regularly.

If you have been exposed to H1N1 flu or have flu-like symptoms, we please ask that you not attend or participate in commencement events to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others.

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All post-session travel and other study abroad opportunities will proceed as planned. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that U.S. travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico; for more information about this recommendation, visit www.cdc.gov/travel. We will continue to monitor other areas reporting cases of H1N1 flu.

If you have questions about the effect on study abroad programs, contact the Office of International Education at 503-375-5493 or visit www.willamette.edu/dept/oie/.

For information about travel plans through Willamette, contact the Travel Center at 503-370-6388 or visit www.willamette.edu/dept/travel/.

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Although the symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to those of regular seasonal flu, the H1N1 flu is a new virus, and the influenza vaccinations you may have received this year do not provide immunity. There are steps you can take to help prevent the spread of germs that cause these illnesses.

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