Number of people with flu-like symptoms tops 40
At this point in the fall semester, Skidmore's Health Services reports that 41 students
have shown influenza-like symptoms since the academic year began with nine new cases
having developed in the past week.
The good news on the flu front: more than 400 students have obtained seasonal flu
vaccinations from Skidmore's Health Services since the academic year began. This is
by far the best inoculation response by students in several years, according to Patricia
Bosen, clinical director, Health Services. She said, "Seldom does Health Services
administer all 450 flu shots typically ordered each year, even after conducting several
employee vaccination clinics. However, this year we have given an average of 30 shots
per day to students and that number has not slowed down at all. Typically, there are
only a total of 50 to 60 students receiving flu shots any given year, so this is truly
an unusual season."
Bosen indicated that heightened awareness about flu this year is prompting students
to get vaccinated. "I do believe that all the media hype about H1N1 contributed to
the turnout we had?we expected a few more students than usual but certainly not the
number we had," she said.
This reaction by students to the availability of seasonal flu vaccine on campus has
made it impossible for Health Services to offer vaccinations to faculty and staff.
Bosen said, "It is still possible to receive seasonal influenza vaccination this year.
Employees may consider receiving the vaccine at a local clinic or from their primary-care
provider. Many local pharmacies are also conducting ongoing flu vaccine clinics."
Please click this link for help in finding local clinics.
Skidmore's Emergency Management Team continues to work closely with the Saratoga
County and New York State health departments to monitor Novel H1N1 (swine) influenza
conditions and to respond to concerns surrounding the flu this year. For now, Skidmore
is operating as usual.
Incidence of Flu: Symptoms of flu include fever of at least 100 degrees F and a cough and/or sore throat.
Some students exhibited additional symptoms including runny nose, body aches, headache,
tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. Health Services has advised these students to isolate
themselves from other students, faculty and staff to the greatest extent possible
for 24 hours after they have no fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
Vaccinations: Health Services expects to receive its allotment of H1N1 flu vaccinations within
the next few weeks and will then schedule clinics to administer. Priorities include
the following groups of people:
-Age six months through 24 years
-Age 25-64 years with any of the following conditions: chronic pulmonary (including
asthma), cardiovascular (excluding hypertension), renal, hepatic, cognitive, neurological/neuromuscular,
hematological, or metabolic (e.g. diabetes) disorders, immunosuppression, including
that caused by medications or HIV; long-term aspirin therapy (applies to a child or
adolescent age 6 months through 18 years)
-Being pregnant during the influenza season
-All health care and emergency medical services personnel
-All adults, children, and teens that are household contacts or caregivers of infants
younger than age six months
Updates will be provided via email and web announcements. For more information about
the College's response to the H1N1 virus and ways to reduce risk, please visit Skidmore's
Pandemic Plan Web site.
W. Rochelle Calhoun
Dean of Student Affairs and
Chair, Emergency Management Team