In mid-November, Hollins is conducting H1N1 flu shot clinics for students currently enrolled at the university.

Hollins received 400 doses of the vaccine and is distributing them to students on a first-come, first-served basis. The university did not receive its full allocation of the vaccine, but is hoping to get an additional supply in the future.

The H1N1 vaccination campaign is designed to help reduce the impact and spread of novel H1N1 through the protection of persons at higher risk of disease of complications. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that providers vaccinate the following target groups, with no prioritization among the groups:

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than six months of age
• Health care and emergency services personnel
• Persons between the ages of six months through 24 years of age
• People from ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for novel H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems

Hollins faculty and staff who feel they may fall within one of these categories are advised to contact their physician or the health department about the availability of clinics elsewhere in the area.

9/29/09 Update
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is reporting “widespread” H1N1 flu activity in Virginia. Area hospital emergency departments and physician offices are seeing an increasing number of people with flu-like symptoms. According to Thomas Kerkering, MD, medical director of Carilion Clinic’s Infectious Disease Department in Roanoke, all current flu activity is likely H1N1 flu, as the seasonal flu has not yet been seen in the United States.

Hollins is e-mailing daily reminders to students, faculty, and staff on everyday steps they should take to protect themselves and others from the H1N1 flu. My.Hollins, the campus web portal, offers additional important information on the symptoms of H1N1, how to stay healthy, what to do if you get sick, emergency warning signs, available treatments, and how to stay informed through websites established by the CDC and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

8/25/09 Update
Hollins University is joining colleges and universities around the country in preparing for the expected H1N1 flu outbreak this fall and winter.

President Gray and other members of the administration currently are watching the situation closely, revisiting our flu pandemic emergency plan, and working collaboratively with other colleges and universities in Virginia to ensure our ongoing response is swift and appropriate.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use the following common-sense, everyday steps to stay healthy as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Cover coughs or sneezes using your elbow or shoulder instead of your hands when a tissue is not available.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Frequently clean your living quarters. If you live together with other students, you should frequently clean commonly-used surfaces such as doorknobs, refrigerator handles, remote controls, computer keyboards, countertops, faucet handles, and bathroom areas.

Students experiencing flu-like symptoms are urged to call Health and Counseling Services at (540) 362-6444 to determine if they should be seen by a health care professional. Hollins employees who get sick are advised to stay home from work and limit contact with others.

Students, faculty, staff, parents, alumnae, and others can stay up-to-date on news and information concerning the H1N1 flu pandemic by regularly visiting http://www.flu.gov or http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/. Hollins will continue to provide updates to the campus community through e-mail and the My.Hollins web portal, and to the general public via www.hollins.edu as circumstances warrant.