Flu Information

Influenza-Like Illness/H1N1: Home

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Ohio State is committed to the ever-changing health needs of the
university community and supports a healthy campus environment for all.

This website will provide links, information, resources, advice and more to help the Ohio State community stay healthy and safe during flu season and beyond.

News and Updates


Only Those Registered Will Receive Seasonal Flu Shot

Effective with all the remaining campus flu shot events, only faculty and staff who have previously registered for an appointment will receive their seasonal influenza vaccination. Walk-ins can no longer be accommodated due to the remaining supply of vaccine dedicated for campus use.

Some area Kroger stores may have a small amount of vaccine left; call ahead to see if your local Kroger Pharmacy has a supply in stock (visit http://www.flu.osu.edu/pdf/Kroger_Pharmacy_Locations.pdf for the list of participating Kroger locations). Faculty and staff are encouraged to contact their primary care physicians to determine if they can still be vaccinated for the seasonal flu.

Faculty and Staff: No New Appointments for Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

Due to a very high demand, the university has almost depleted its allotment of the seasonal influenza vaccine. Faculty and staff who have registered for the vaccine will be able to receive it, but no new appointments are being made. Unfortunately, there are shortages of vaccine across the country, and off campus, Kroger and other providers also are experiencing shortages.  Faculty and staff are encouraged to contact their primary care physicians to determine if they can still be vaccinated for the seasonal flu. 

Individuals wishing to register for the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available are encouraged to call 514-4161.  For more information on how to protect yourself from either the seasonal or H1N1 flu, visit: flu.osu.edu

Students

Wilce Student Health Center has a limited supply remaining of seasonal influenza vaccine for students. Wilce will continue to offer seasonal vaccine in the SHS Pharmacy Mass Program through November 20.  After that date, students should contact the Appointments area at 614-292-4321 to schedule for the vaccination.   Students can receive more information at: http://www.flu.osu.edu/flu_student-information.html

Do masks protect us from the flu?

Tim Buckley: The short answer is yes.

Each time you sneeze or cough, small and large droplets spray into the air. These droplets carry viruses. Even the large droplets are smaller than the period at the end of this sentence and not visible to the human eye.

The smaller droplets are more dangerous. They remain in the air longer and can travel farther than larger droplets.

Dust masks and surgical masks will provide some protection against the larger droplets, but little protection against the smaller particles.

A mask known as an N95 respirator will provide more effective protection even against the dangerous small particles. For example, during the SARS outbreak in 2003, masks were associated with 70% decreased risk.

The fit of the mask is important. It is not possible to properly fit the N95 respirator to children or persons with facial hair. N95 respirators can be purchased online or at hardware stores and pharmacies. It is important to look for the N95 designation.

Tim Buckley, Ph., is associate professor and chair, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health. He is an expert in the airborne transmission of infectious agents, including H1N1. His research focuses on prevention through detecting and disinfecting disease-causing germs in the environment. Buckley is one of 125 researchers in Ohio State’s Public Health Preparedness for Infectious Diseases program.

When should Ohio State students go to the Emergency Department for flu-like symptoms?

For the good of the entire community, it is important that emergency room care for flu be reserved for those experiencing immediate severe symptoms (for example, difficulty breathing, pain or pressure in chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion or seizures, severe or persistent vomiting). Students with other symptoms should call the Wilce Student Health Center at 614-292-4321 during its business hours for advice and a same-day appointment if that is appropriate. Visit www.shs.osu.edu for more information about their new hours of operation and after-hours care recommendations.

Emergency rooms work on a triage system, with the most urgent/life-threatening cases taking precedence. Those with typical flu symptoms will usually face a long wait before being treated. If your feel it's an emergency, don't hesitate to go to the ER, but if you're simply feeling ill without the severe symptoms listed above, you'll spend a lot less time in a waiting room if you use the Student Health Center or call your own physician.

When will the H1N1 vaccine be available and who can get it?

Limited supplies of the H1N1 vaccine are being administered by Columbus Public Health and by the OSU Medical Center, based on the established priority groups of high-risk individuals or healthcare personnel. As more vaccine arrives in Columbus over the next weeks, we will be able to start vaccinating other groups, as well. Students, Faculty and Staff are advised to call our H1N1line (4-4161 or 9 + 614-514-4161 from off campus) to sign up.

H1N1 vaccine may also be available through off-campus community clinics, which are usually announced through the local media. More information is available at www.flu.gov and at www.odh.ohio.gov.

 

Columbus campus overview