H1N1 Update
Dear Parents,
We can use your help in keeping our students healthy. Spokane Regional Health District authorities tell us the regular flu season is here and our community will be seeing an increase in flu cases and flu-like symptoms. Up to this point most of the flu-like activity has been attributed to the H1N1 virus. We should expect to see other flu strains (both A and B) as well as colds and other respiratory ailments. As far as H1N1 activity on campus, we appear to be on the downswing of the initial wave. Our reported cases have decreased significantly. Health experts indicate a second wave may be expected and for colleges and universities this may correspond with students returning to campus from Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks.
We would like to encourage you to talk with your student during Thanksgiving break about staying healthy and vigilant regarding flu precautions. You can access important information about the flu via the Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Update page www.gonzaga.edu/healthcenter (be sure to check the archive link in the left hand column) or by visiting the websites for the Spokane Regional Health District http://www.srhd.org/topics/h1n1.asp or Centers for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/ .
We have exhausted our supply of seasonal flu vaccine so if your student has not yet been vaccinated you may want to get the vaccine from another provider.
Gonzaga University is a point of distribution for the H1N1 vaccine, which is now available in the Spokane community. A number of campus vaccine clinics have already been held and more are planned after Thanksgiving break. An email notice to all students is sent prior to each clinic and information about upcoming clinics is posted on the H1N1 Update page. The vaccine is free. If your student wishes to receive the H1N1 vaccine he or she should watch for the e-mail announcements and check the Update page. Information about the vaccine (both the injection and nasal spray may be offered at future clinics) is available by reading the Vaccine Information Sheets:
Nasal Spray
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-laiv-h1n1.pdf
Injection
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-inact-h1n1.pdf
If you or your student have questions or concerns about the vaccine you should consult your regular medical provider.
Gonzaga University is committed to maintaining a healthy environment for our students, faculty and staff. We appreciate your support.
Sincerely,
Vicki Olson
Health Center Director
Jeffery Hart
Assistant Dean of Students