Student Life 

1) Chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological (including sickle cell disease), neurological, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus).

2) Immunosuppression, including that caused by medications or by HIV.

3)  Pregnant women.

4)  Persons younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy.

All other students may receive vaccine in Sourin Lounge as follows:

Tuesday, 11/17/09  10am - 2pm

Wednesday, 11/18/09  4 - 8pm

Thursday, 11/19/09   10am - 2pm

Again, supplies are limited and will be given free-of-charge, on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Additional vaccine is ordered and expected in the near future.  Students will be kept informed of vaccine supply via email.  Questions, please contact the health center at 610-660-1175.

As you know from earlier communications, Saint Joseph’s University has been preparing for the potential of an outbreak of H1N1 flu for many months.  At this point we have identified a number of cases of the flu on campus and have been working with students, faculty and staff to both treat those who are ill and mitigate the spread of the flu.    These students experienced fever, body aches, cough, and congestion.  All have recovered fully or are recovering without complications.

Our staff has been working with the Philadelphia Department of Health and following the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), both of which advocate common sense strategies that are effective in preventing and minimizing the spread of H1N1. These include:  thorough hand-washing, use of hand sanitizer and coughing into your sleeve instead of your hand.  In addition, these agencies recommend that people who have contracted the flu isolate themselves by going home and avoiding school and other group activities.

To comply with these governmental recommendations, Saint Joseph’s University insists that students with symptoms of the flu follow the CDC guidelines regarding self-isolation and NOT attend classes or other group or public activities while they have symptoms.  Students are being asked to go home during their illness if at all possible.  Arrangements have been made to house students who contract the flu but live at a distance too great to return home.  Students may return to classes and activities when they have been fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications (Tylenol, Motrin, etc.) for 24 hours.  Faculty have been asked to consider making accommodations for students to complete course work while they are recovering from the flu.