H1N1 Flu Information

Update:  Wake Forest University will hold an H1N1 flu vaccine clinic Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Benson University Center, Room 401. The University is offering the vaccine to students, staff and faculty who meet eligibility requirements established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We will keep information on this page up-to-date with information on vaccines, preventive measures and any policy and procedure changes that may arise from the appearance of H1N1 flu on our campus.

What is the situation with the flu at Wake Forest?

For several years, the University has prepared for pandemic influenza as part of its ongoing issues management strategy. Earlier this year, we turned our attention to the potential for an H1N1 outbreak that would affect our community, and put plans into action to mitigate the effects of such a scenario. These plans included methods of communicating with University constituents; ensuring the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff; accommodating sick students so they could comfortably recover; creating guidelines related to absence management; and providing updated news and education to the campus community.

On August 28, Wake Forest first learned of confirmed cases of H1N1 flu on our campus. That same day, we sent a number of communications to students, faculty and staff encouraging them to take basic precautions to reduce risk to exposure, as well as providing information about how to seek medical attention and manage absences.

We have taken action by:

  • Sending e-mails to students, faculty and staff informing them of the flu's presence on campus and the University's response. Students with flu were advised not to come to class; employees with flu were advised not to come to work.
  • Implementing a meal coupon system so that sick students may have a friend or roommate pick up a meal from campus dining services and deliver it to his/her residence hall room.
  • Providing hand sanitizers to students in residence halls and to employees in academic buildings.
  • Providing cleaning and disinfecting supplies for students to clean their rooms.
  • Holding regular meetings among University officials to address issues and solutions related to the flu.
  • Communicating frequently with county health officials and infectious disease specialists at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
  • Assigning the University's health educator to work with peer health educators on campus to distribute posters and other materials for campus.
  • Appointing University health officials to monitor relevant information from federal, state and local officials on a daily basis.
  • Assisting departments, with the help of Human Resources, in locating and acquiring temporary resources in the event an outbreak results in significant staffing shortages for essential positions.

What can you do to prevent the flu?

Take the following precautions

As recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

  • Get an annual seasonal flu vaccine, as well as the H1N1 vaccine, when it becomes available.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow, not your hands, when you sneeze or cough. Throw tissues in the trash after you use them.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

Know the symptoms

The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with novel H1N1 flu virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

For general information about prevention, symptoms and treatment, visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm

For specific information from the CDC concerning the response of Institutions of higher education to H1N1 influenza please visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/institutions/guidance/

What do I do if I have symptoms?

If you think you have flu symptoms, avoid contact with others and seek medical attention promptly. For an overview of symptoms, please visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm

For information on caring for someone in your family with symptoms, please visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm

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Vaccines

Wake Forest University will offer the H1N1 flu vaccine in the injectable and nasal mist forms in a clinic Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Benson University Center, Room 401. The clinic is open to students, staff and faculty who meet eligibility requirements set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All those wishing to receive the vaccine must bring their University-issued identification card.

Clinic schedule

The clinic will be held:

  • Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
    Benson 401

Registration is available through the Professional Development Center (PDC). To register for the vaccine, please go to http://pdc.wfu.edu/health_wellness/. It is strongly encouraged that all interested students, staff and faculty register, as there will be limited ability to accommodate walk-ins. At this time, the University is unable to offer the vaccine to spouses or children of faculty and staff or to retired faculty.

If you have any additional questions or need information, faculty and staff please contact or 758-4700, and students please contact Residence Life and Housing at or 758-5185.

More about clinics

The University is planning a series of H1N1 flu vaccination clinics, initially for priority groups identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ultimately, University officials hope to offer the vaccine to all students, faculty and staff. The clinics will be held this semester as vaccine becomes available to the University. At this point, University officials expect additional vaccine shipments. When more clinics are scheduled, the University will inform the campus community.

Additional information

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