H1N1 (Swine Flu) Information

You are probably aware of the growing concern regarding H1N1 (Swine Flu). The college is committed to ensuring the safest possible environment for our patients, students, faculty and staff.

The World Health Organization has declared that H1N1 meets the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic and has raised the threat level to 6 out of 6. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), WHO’s decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide important and up-to-date information to the public and health care providers on the H1N1 virus.

Vaccination

You should be vaccinated against H1N1 if you are in one of the following high-risk groups:

Pregnant women
People 65 and older
Adults with HIV infection
People with diabetes, cardiovascular disease or asthma
Children under the age of 5, especially those younger than 2 years old

The first doses of vaccines which protect against 2009 H1N1 influenza are starting to become available and more doses will be shipped in the upcoming weeks. See the October 12 issue of FluAware for local vaccination information.

H1N1 Vaccinations for UF Faculty, Staff and Students

The University of Florida Student Health Center on the second floor of the dental tower (D2-49) is now giving H1N1 flu shots to all UF faculty, staff and students.

The shots are free to UF faculty, staff and students, but be sure to bring your Gator 1 card with you.
The clinic is open Monday–Friday from 8:30–11:30 a.m., and from 1:30–4:45 p.m.
Call 392-0627 to check availability. You can also check their website.

The Student Health Care Center will also be holding an outreach clinic Friday to offer H1N1 flu vaccine at no cost to all health-care workers, faculty, staff and students in UF's Health Science Center.

The clinic is scheduled from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. in the Founders Gallery at the Health Science Center. Vaccines will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note: Shands HealthCare employees working in UF’s health system hospitals and clinics are receiving instructions from Shands Occupational Health Services about H1N1 vaccination. Additional H1N1 vaccine doses continue to be delivered to the Alachua County Health Department each week. Shands Occupational Health Services will announce expanded employee eligibility for the vaccine as doses become available and per directive of the health department.

For more information, call Kat Lindsey at 352-273-3566 or e-mail katlin@ufl.edu.

Information for Dental Patients

If you are feeling influenza-like symptoms, please contact us to reschedule your appointment for another time.
- Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and/or vomiting associated with H1N1 or swine flu.
Contact your primary care provider if you believe your symptoms may be associated with swine flu. Avoid contact with others to keep from spreading the illness. If your symptoms become severe, seek immediate emergency attention.

Information for Faculty, Staff and Students

FluAware Updates

During the Fall semester, we will provide weekly flu updates containing information and resources.

General Information

To prevent transmission of infection in healthcare settings, respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette infection control measures should be implemented at the first point of contact with a potentially infected person.
Please do not report for work/school if you are feeling influenza-like symptoms.
- Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and/or vomiting associated with H1N1 or swine flu.
Contact your primary care provider if you believe your symptoms may be associated with swine flu. Avoid contact with others to keep from spreading the illness. If your symptoms become severe, seek immediate emergency attention.

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