H1N1 Vaccine Information

The H1N1 Flu Vaccine: What You Should Know

As a part of New York City College of Technology’s on-going effort to keep you informed with the latest information regarding H1N1, we have provided below new information from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New York City Department of Health (DOH) regarding the H1N1 flu vaccine.

The H1N1 flu vaccine is a separate vaccine from the seasonal flu vaccine and is available in two different forms: the “flu shot” and the nasal mist. Both forms of vaccine are effective in preventing H1N1, but the nasal mist is approved for healthy people ages 2 to 49 that are not pregnant. The flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine which vaccine is best for you.

According to the CDC, the U.S. government has purchased over 250 million doses of H1N1 vaccine, so everyone who wishes to receive a dose will have an opportunity to do so. Initially, however, until enough vaccine has been manufactured and distributed, vaccination efforts will focus first on people in five target groups who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 influenza or related complications, are likely to come in contact with influenza viruses as part of their occupation and could transmit influenza viruses to others in medical care settings, or are close contacts of infants younger than 6 months (who are too young to be vaccinated). The five target groups are:

· pregnant women,
· people who live with or provide care for infants younger than 6 months (e.g., parents, siblings, and day care providers),
· health care and emergency medical services personnel,
· people 6 months through 24 years of age, and,
· people 25 years through 64 years of age who have certain medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.

After demand in these high risk groups has been met, vaccinations will proceed with everyone ages 25-64, and then those who are 65 years or older.

You may learn more information about the H1N1 vaccine at the following websites:
http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_keyfacts.htm

Where to get vaccinated for H1N1:
For additional information or to find out where you can get either the seasonal flu shot or H1N1 flu shot, call the toll-free NYC Department of Health's Flu Vaccination Information Line at 311. You may also search for flu clinic convenient to you and find more information on H1N1 in New York City on the flu website.
For more information on preventing the flu, check out this podcast from the CDC.

The Student Wellness Center is available to answer questions about H1N1and any other health-related matters. The Center can be reached at (718) 260-5910 and is located in Pearl 104. We will post more information as it becomes available.
Please continue to check the City Tech website for updated information.

Be Prepared This Flu Season

CDC Says “Take 3” Steps To Fight The Flu

Flu is a serious contagious disease.
Each year in the United States, on average:
More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications.
20,000 of those hospitalized are children younger than 5 years old.
36,000 people die from flu.
Take action to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges you to take the following steps to protect yourself and others from influenza (the flu):

Take time to get a flu vaccine.

The Student Wellness Center will be administering flu vaccination to students on Monday November 17th from 9:00am to 5:00pm and Wednesday, November 19th from 10:30am to 6:00pm.

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease.

While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine protects against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season.
The vaccine can protect you from getting sick from these three viruses or it can make your illness milder if you get a different flu virus.

Getting a vaccine is very important for people at high risk for serious flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart or lung disease, and people 65 and older.
People who live with or care for those at high risk should also get a flu vaccine to protect their high-risk contact.

Take everyday preventive actions.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you get the flu, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.


Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them.
If you do get the flu, antiviral drugs are an important treatment option. (They are not a substitute for vaccination.)
Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body.
Antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. This could be especially important for people at high risk.
For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
Flu-like symptoms include fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches.

For more information on the flu, the flu vaccination, and what to do if you get sick, visit CDC's website