Member Advisory

September 9, 2009

H1N1 Update for schools, colleges and universities

September 8- The White House is taking steps to make sure that colleges and universities are prepared for possible seasonal flu and H1N1 (swine flu) outbreaks this fall.  For guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for “Responses to Influenza for Institutions of Higher Education during the 2009-2010 Academic Year,” click here.  Similar guidance has also been posted for K-12 administrators; click here.

The student-age population is one of five higher risk groups of individuals the federal government has identified that will have priority with the vaccines:

  • Pregnant women;
  • Those who care for children under 6 months old;
  • Emergency care personnel;
  • Young people between the ages of 6 months – 24 years of age;
  • Individuals between 25-64 years old who have chronic health conditions.

This year, separate shots will be available for the seasonal and H1N1 flus (the swine flu vaccine is expected to be ready in October) and people are encouraged to get both vaccines. No shortages in the vaccine supply are expected; a more serious concern is that not enough people will get the shots to prevent the spread of the flu.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is advising that adults are encouraged to stay home for at least 24 hours when they are sick with a fever and to remember to wash their hands frequently and cover coughs and sneezes.  Those with young children are being asked to take special precautions in day care and school and not to send children to school if they are sick.  The Administration is working with the Department of Labor to address concerns about adults missing work while their children are sick.  Employers are encouraged to be accommodating with such issues and to be proactive in protecting the health of their workers.

In order to communicate to college students, a population with generally low incidence of illness, the Administration is using Facebook, Twitter, ESPN, YouTube and other media to get the attention of the student-age population.

Further details and answers for frequently asked questions can be obtained at: http://www.flu.gov/.  This link is also in Spanish.

Member Advisories are a service of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. 

  

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain, and school districts throughout the U.S. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The Association’s headquarters are in San Antonio, Texas, with regional offices in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, California.

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