Emory received a restricted supply of the H1N1 vaccine a week ago and will administer it to priority groups for example pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions this week, based on Executive Director of Student Health Services Michael Huey.
The authorities made the vaccine obtainable in early October, and Emory University and Emory Healthcare put on be a distribution site.
Both were authorized by the Georgia Division of Public Health to manage the H1N1 vaccine.
Huey said the very first batch of vaccinations is just a fraction from the amount the University will have to immunize against the H1N1 virus, also called swine flu.
The University will get more doses from the vaccine as the authorities continues to manufacture it, Huey said.
“We are hopeful this can be a short timeline, but we must be realistic in expecting it will require time for that vaccine to be produced in high enough quantities to be shown for teenagers without chronic illnesses,” Huey said. “We are anxious for this to become increasingly available.”
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said those at high-risk for serious medical complications ought to be vaccinated first.
People who fall within this category include women that are pregnant, people who accept or take care of children younger than 6 months of age, health-care and emergency medical services personnel who participate in direct patient contact, children 6 months to 4 years of age and youngsters five years to 18 years old who have chronic health conditions, according to a Universitywide e-mail sent by Alexander Isakov, executive director of Critical Event Preparedness and Response.
Huey said the University will watch for further recommendations in the CDC and much more shipments from the vaccination before making the vaccine open to all students and faculty.
This week, the vaccine is going to be administered to priority group members in clinics placed in the Dobbs University Center (DUC).
Emory students younger than 17, however, is going to be vaccinated at Student Health Services as their health consent forms can be found there, Huey said.
The shots have the freedom to Emory students insured through the Emory Student Medical health insurance Plan who show their EmoryCard and Aetna Student Medical health insurance card as well as for Emory employees who work 20 or even more hours per week and present their Emory faculty or staff identification card and private health insurance card.
The vaccine administration fee is $10 for Emory students, faculty and staff that don't fall within the above categories.
Huey said Emory won't vaccinate young children, whilst they do fall within the priority groups outlined through the CDC.
Young children could be vaccinated at areas such as health-care provider offices, schools and pharmacies, based on the CDC’s website.
According to Heather Zesiger, director of health education and promotion for Student Health Services, the vaccine can help slow multiplication of the H1N1 virus on campus.
“By vaccinating the priority groups first, hopefully we are able to prevent serious cases the type of who are most vulnerable,” Zesiger said. “If it might be available for everyone, and when as many students, staff and faculty get vaccinated as you possibly can, then we can help reduce the spread from the illness.”
The H1N1 outbreak, which began in April 2009, continues to spread at Emory for many more weeks, Zesiger said.
Student Health Services cannot test directly for that H1N1 virus, but continues to be able to test for Influenza A and therefore detect presumptive cases from the virus.
Those considered to have the H1N1 virus ought to self-isolate in Turman South Residence Hall, where those affected have stayed this fall, until their fevers subside every day and night.
The CDC stated on its website those with the virus should stay at home and avoid connection with other people, except to obtain medical care.
Huey emphasized that Emory’s H1N1 vaccination program is voluntary, but because there has been more than 500 presumptive cases of H1N1 on campus so far this semester, he encourages students, faculty and staff to find the H1N1 vaccination, in addition to the seasonal flu shot.
“You’ll wish you had been vaccinated, whether it is for that seasonal flu or even the H1N1 virus,” Huey said.
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