Faculty & Staff Communications
January 25, 2010
To: UMD Campus Community
From: John King, Pandemic Flu Response Team Chair
Subject: DO YOUR PART—Get Vaccinated and Be Eligible for a Gift Certificate!
DO YOUR PART by getting an H1N1 flu shot and protect yourself and your friends, roommates, family and colleagues. UMD has received additional injectable H1N1 Influenza vaccine and will hold another flu immunization clinic on Wednesday, January 27, from 9:00 to 1:00 in the Kirby Lounge. Immunizations will continue as long as the vaccine supply lasts. Refreshments will be served. Anyone who attends this immunization clinic or received a flu shot on January 20 will be entered into a drawing for gift certificates.
The Minnesota Department of Health now recommends that everyone receive the H1N1 Influenza vaccine, so the University will administer the vaccine to all interested students, staff, and faculty. There is no charge for this vaccine.
Date: January 15, 2010
To: UMD Faculty and Staff
From: John King, Pandemic Flu Response Team Chair
Subject: CORRECTION -- H1N1 Flu Immunization Clinic Update
UMD has received a shipment of injectable H1N1 Influenza vaccine and will hold a flu immunization clinic on Wednesday, January 20, from 9:00 to 3:00 in the Kirby Lounge (1000 doses available). Immunizations will continue as long as the vaccine supply lasts. A second clinic has tentatively been scheduled for Wednesday, January 27, from 9:00 to 3:00, also in the Kirby Lounge.
The Minnesota Department of Health now recommends that everyone receive the H1N1 Influenza vaccine, so the University will administer the vaccine to all interested students, staff, and faculty. **There is no charge for this vaccine.**
http://www.d.umn.edu/emergency/flu/flu_vaccine_clinics.html
A separate message is being sent to students.
Date: January 15, 2010
To: UMD Faculty
From: Vince Magnuson, Vice Chancellor for Academic Administration
Bilin Tsai, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Administration
Re: Spring Semester 2010 H1N1 Update
H1N1 Vaccine Clinic Dates
Doctor's notes for excused absence from class
We hope you have all had a safe, healthy and rejuvenating holiday and semester break. We continue to monitor H1N1 flu reports and will provide guidance to the faculty based on the best public health information available. Again we advise that all members of the UMD community take responsibility to stay informed about H1N1, follow good hygiene practices and get an H1N1 vaccination.
UMD received a shipment of 1000 H1N1 vaccine doses and will hold an H1N1 vaccination clinic on January 20 in Kirby Student Lounge from 9 am to 3 pm. Immunizations will continue until the supplies last. A second clinic has been tentatively scheduled for January 27 in KSL from 9 am to 3 pm. The Minnesota Department of Health now recommends that everyone receive this vaccine. There is no charge for this vaccine.
Effective at the beginning of Spring Semester 2010, faculty may again require students to provide a doctor's note verifying their medical reason for missing class. The UMD Health Clinic will provide doctor's notes. Students will receive an email on January 15, 2010 announcing this change. We encourage you to reinforce this message to your classes and, if appropriate, please inform your teaching assistants of this change. Should a dramatic increase in the number of H1N1 cases occur, we will revisit this issue.
Finally, the UMD Emergency Preparedness website (http://www.d.umn.edu/emergency/) is updated frequently and is a record of H1N1-related resources and previous communications.
C: John King
December 11, 2009
To: UMD Campus Community
From: John King, Pandemic Flu Response Team Chair
Subject: Influenza Immunization Clinic Update
The University of Minnesota Duluth currently has an extremely limited supply of seasonal flu vaccine (150 doses) and H1N1 nasal FluMist vaccine (135 doses).
UMD will hold a seasonal flu and H1N1 nasal FluMist immunization clinic in the Kirby Lounge on Monday, December 14, from 9:00 to 11:00 or until the vaccine supply is exhausted.
Seasonal flu vaccine is available to anyone while supplies last and we do not anticipate receiving any additional seasonal flu doses this academic year-this is the last chance at UMD.
Per the recommendation from the Minnesota Department of Health, eligible high priority groups for H1N1 nasal FluMist vaccine include:
- Anyone ages 2 years to 49 years with no chronic medical conditions.
- Anyone up to age 49 with no chronic medical conditions who lives with or cares for infants 6 months old or younger.
This year there will be no out-of-pocket cost at the flu clinics for UMD students, faculty and staff (with appropriate identification).
- Students must show their student ID.
- UPlan members, including dependents, must show their UPlan medical card.
- Non-UPlan employees must show their staff ID.
Additional immunization clinics will be scheduled when UMD receives its shipment of injectable H1N1 Influenza vaccine. Please check the Emergency Preparedness web page (http://www.d.umn.edu/emergency/) for updated information.
Students are encouraged to seek out injectable H1N1 flu vaccine from their medical provider over the semester break.
November 30, 2009
To: UMD Faculty
From: Vince Magnuson, Vice Chancellor for Academic Administration
Bilin Tsai, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Administration
Re: H1N1 and End of Semester Issues
At the beginning of fall semester, we faced the spread of a new and highly contagious virus known as H1N1. On September 21, we sent an e-mail to all of you with federal and state public health guidelines to protect your health and the health of those around you. In addition, this memo and the one sent to students on the same day described mutual responsibilities of students and faculty to assist students in making up missed course work so they can complete course requirements.
We are now in the final month of the semester and are encouraged by decreasing numbers of new cases of flu among our campus populations. However, as we approach final exam week, students will feel increasing pressure to attend class even when they are sick. We urge you to continue good hygiene practices, maintain good communication with your students, particularly with those who miss class due to flu-like symptoms, and be flexible and creative in working with students who need to make up missed course assignments.
In a November 30, 2009 e-mail, students were told the following:
- Stay home if you have flu-like symptoms and do not return to class until you are fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication.
- Report your illness to UMD Health Services at 726-8155.Seek medical help (UMD Health Services or your own physician) if your symptoms are severe or if you are in a high-risk group.
- Contact your instructors by e-mail and ask how to make up missed classes, assignments, exams, etc. Monitor the remote communication tools that your instructors have adopted (e.g. e-mail, course management systems such as Web Vista and Moodle, web-based materials, etc). Contact other students in your classes and study groups to stay informed.
- You are not required to present a doctor's note if you miss class due to flu-like symptoms.
Please continue to practice good hygiene practices to protect yourself, your family and your friends.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer.
- Clean used surfaces frequently with disinfectant.
Finally, we would like to thank all of you who have worked with students so diligently this semester as the H1N1 virus has taken its toll. We would also like to thank ITSS staff members for creating (with little advanced notice) several workshops on remote teaching tools http://www.d.umn.edu/itss/support/Training/workshop/. The trajectories of the H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu during spring semester are unknown, but we know our educational mission will be protected and remain strong.
Further information is available on the UMD Emergency Preparedness website (http://www.d.umn.edu/emergency/).
C: John King
November 9, 2009
To: UMD Campus Community
From: John King, Pandemic Flu Response Team Chair
Subject: Eligibility Criteria for H1N1 Nasal FluMist Vaccine
The University of Minnesota Duluth currently has a limited supply of H1N1 nasal FluMist vaccine.
Per the recommendation from the Minnesota Department of Health, the University will administer the current supply of vaccine to eligible "high priority" students, staff, and faculty at no out-of-pocket cost. Eligible "high priority" groups for H1N1 nasal FluMist vaccine include:
- Those who live with or take care of someone under the age of 6 months, including staff at the University day care center as well as early childhood education students who are placed in day care centers.
- Healthcare and emergency response personnel who are between the ages of 18 and 49, healthy (no chronic health conditions), not pregnant, and who have direct patient contact.
This nasal vaccine is not approved for pregnant women.
Students, faculty, and staff who fit these criteria are eligible to receive H1N1 nasal FluMist vaccine at Health Services. Call 726-8617 to schedule your H1N1 vaccine appointment. Eligible employees also have the option of receiving their vaccine at the Quick Care Clinic. UMD Medical and Pharmacy students will receive a separate communication with procedures to receive their vaccine.
If you are unclear about whether you are eligible, call Health Services at 726-8617.
Providing H1N1 nasal FluMist vaccine to eligible students, faculty and staff will exhaust our current vaccine supply. As the Minnesota Department of Health expands the definition of who is eligible to receive vaccine and as we receive more vaccine, including the injectable vaccine, we will update the UMD community by e-mail and our website (http://www.d.umn.edu/emergency/).
November 2, 2009
Dear University of Minnesota Duluth students, faculty, and staff,
Update on H1N1 cases
H1N1 cases at the University, in the Duluth area, and in greater Minnesota have significantly increased in the past two weeks.
- A two-fold increase in cases of influenza like illness (ILI) has been reported at UMD Health Service over the past week.
- The good news is that UMD Health Services is still fully able to handle clinic visits and no serious complications from H1N1 have been reported to Health Services to date.
H1N1 vaccine availability
Federal officials acknowledge that the production of H1N1 vaccine has been delayed and only a small number of doses are currently available.
When H1N1 vaccine supplies will be available to the general public depends on how quickly manufacturers are able to produce it. Public health officials expect that eventually there will be enough vaccine in the state for anyone who wants to be vaccinated.
For now, the Minnesota Department of Health recommends giving vaccine to priority groups:
- Pregnant women
- People who live with or provide care for infants aged six months or younger;
- Health care and emergency medical services personnel who have direct contact with patients or infectious material
- Children ages six months through four years
- Children and adolescents ages 5-18 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk
UMD Health Services is expecting a small allotment of the live, attenuated H1N1 virus vaccine called FluMist. This nasal vaccine spray is only approved for non-pregnant, healthy people between the ages of 2 and 49.
People within priority groups at the University – police officers, emergency medical system personnel, healthcare providers and those who care for infants less than six months of age – who are approved to receive FluMist can be given this vaccine first.
The most effective way to distribute to those who qualify is being determined by the University at this time.
Next steps
We are committed to keeping our student, staff and faculty as safe as possible during this unusual flu season.
- When additional H1N1 vaccine becomes available we will notify you.
- Continue to practice public health safety measures (http://www.d.umn.edu/emergency/flu/umd_h1n1_recs.html) like staying home when ill and covering your cough and keeping your hands clean.
- If you develop serious symptoms see your healthcare provider or call 911.
- This is a time that is causing stress and anxiety for some. There are mental health resources available for you. Students can find information about mental health resources on campus here (http://www.d.umn.edu/hlthserv/counseling/). Faculty and staff should contact their healthcare provider or the U's Employee Assistance Program (http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/eap/)
Sincerely,
John King, UMD Pandemic Flu Response Team Chair
Kathleen O'Brien, Vice President for University Services
John Finnegan, Assistant Vice President for Public Health and Dean, School of Public Health
October 5, 2009
To: UMD Campus Community
From: John King, Pandemic Flu Response Team Chair
Subject: Seasonal Flu Immunization Clinic Update
UMD will hold its first seasonal flu (not H1N1) immunization clinic on Tuesday, October 6, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Kirby Lounge. Since we have only received a partial shipment of seasonal flu vaccine, immunizations will continue as long as the vaccine supply lasts. A second clinic has been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, also in the Kirby Lounge.
http://www.d.umn.edu/emergency/flu/flu_vaccine_clinics.html
This year there will be no charge at the flu clinics for UMD students, faculty and staff (with appropriate identification).
- Students must show their student ID.
- UPlan members, including dependents, must show their UPlan medical card.
- Non-UPlan employees must show their staff ID.
All others will be charged $20.00.
Additional immunization clinics will be scheduled when UMD receives the remaining shipment of seasonal flu vaccine. Please check the Emergency Preparedness web page (http://www.d.umn.edu/emergency/) for updated information.
September 21, 2009
To: UMD Faculty
From: Vince Magnuson, Vice Chancellor for Academic Administration
Bilin Tsai, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Administration
Re: H1N1 Update
The H1N1 virus is a serious and growing health concern, one that UMD is working diligently to address in order to protect the health and safety of all of its members and to continue its many services. All members of the UMD community should take responsibility to stay informed about H1N1 and to prepare for possible illness.
The UMD Emergency Preparedness website (http://www.d.umn.edu/emergency/) is updated frequently and a Frequently Asked Questions (http://www.d.umn.edu/emergency/flu/faq.html) section was added last week. In addition, the ITSS/IDS Session (audio and notes) on "Teaching and Learning during a Pandemic" is available at http://www.d.umn.edu/itss/etrg/panflu/.
If you develop flu-like symptoms,
- Do not go to work. Stay home in order not to infect others. Treat your symptoms. Individuals with severe symptoms or another medical condition that makes H1N1 a more dangerous health threat should seek medical attention immediately.
- Do not return to work until you are free of fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- Report your illness to your Department Contact Person on the first day of your illness and on the day you return.
Students have been told the following (The link to the full memo sent to all UMD students is available at the UMD Emergency Preparedness website address given above).
- No doctor's note is required for class attendance purposes for students with symptoms associated with the flu. Due to the volume of calls and patient traffic, UMD Health Services is unable to provide a doctor's note. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/institutions/guidance/
- Students have been directed to notify you by email if they miss class, before they miss class if possible. Students with flu-like symptoms have also been directed to " … report your illness to Health Services by calling 218-726-8155. Health Services personnel can determine whether or not you need to be seen. If you don't need to be seen, medical personnel can still advise you regarding self-treatment of symptoms, precautions, etc. "
In addition, please note
- The last bullet on page R-7 of Annex R has been removed. Faculty members are not required by the VCAA to send information about absent students to their college office. Student illness will be monitored by UMD Health Services.
Record student illness (name and date) and record subsequent return to the classroom (date) for reporting to the college. - Utilize email, course web sites, course management systems or other technologies with which you are familiar to communicate with your students. This will help students who miss class keep up as best they can. Students are responsible for material presented during classes they miss. Workshops on this topic are available at http://www.d.umn.edu/itss/support/Training/workshop.
- Students will again contact you when they return to class to make arrangements to make up work they missed so that they can meet course requirements.
- Be flexible in working with students who need to make up work.
- Department members should discuss plans to cover courses, when possible, for sick colleagues and teaching assistants.
C: John King
September 18, 2009
To: UMD Campus Community
From: John King, Pandemic Flu Response Team Chair
Subject: Seasonal Flu Immunization Clinic Update
The seasonal flu immunization clinic scheduled for Monday, September 21, has been cancelled due to a delay in shipment of vaccine. If the shipment does not arrive in time, the immunization clinic scheduled for Wednesday, September 23, may also be cancelled. These immunization clinics will be rescheduled as vaccine supplies allow. Watch the Emergency Preparedness web page for updated information early next week, http://www.d.umn.edu/emergency/
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) has been added to the Emergency Preparedness web page, http://www.d.umn.edu/emergency/flu/faq.html
Currently, UMD has had approximately 80 suspected cases of the flu, with one case confirmed as H1N1. Of those 80 cases, about 10% are students living in on-campus resident areas.
JK/bg
August 28, 2009
To: UMD Campus Community
From: John King, Pandemic Flu Response Team Chair
Subject: Preparation for H1N1 Flu at UMD
Like other universities and colleges across the nation, UMD is continuing to monitor the activity of the H1N1 novel influenza virus. At this time, there have been more than 600 cases documented in Minnesota as well as documented cases in neighboring states.
For the past several months, UMD leaders have been meeting regularly with representatives from the St. Louis County Health Department and the Minnesota Department of Health to develop a comprehensive pandemic flu response plan. UMD's Pandemic Influenza Response is part of the UMD Emergency Operations Plan and is located as a link at both http://www.d.umn.edu/emergency and http://www.d.umn.edu/ (click on Emergency Preparedness). UMD has also been monitoring the status of H1N1 with the Centers for Disease Control on both a local and national level and continue to modify our plan as new information becomes available from the CDC.
UMD's Pandemic Influenza Response is based on levels of severity and transmission of the virus with a phased response plan. The goal of the plan is two-fold; to respond appropriately to those who are ill and to maintain a safe educational environment for the students, faculty, and staff that are unaffected. The plan outlines contingency measures in numerous "what-if" scenarios. It also identifies critical campus services and the priority and manner in which they will be maintained.
Like any emergency response plan, UMD's plan is an evolving document. It will be updated as additional information becomes available. Since we are modeling our plan on the recommendations of the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health, we are confident that the plan is a valuable, reliable resource should we face a pandemic health emergency.
We encourage everyone to get the seasonal flu vaccine (different from H1N1) as soon as possible (clinics at UMD will be held on September 21, 23, 29 & 30 and October 7). At this time, H1N1 vaccination information is pending on the national level. October is the earliest it is expected to be available and it may involve two separate shots. When updated information becomes available, UMD will communicate with students, faculty, and staff regarding the availability and distribution of the H1N1 vaccine.
UMD is committed to protecting the health and safety of our campus community. We encourage students to share this information and web site with their parents and to check the site regularly for updated information.
JK/ca
University of Minnesota Campuses