As of December 29, based on recent demand and a large recent increase in H1N1 vaccine supply, Maine CDC is now recommending that H1N1 vaccine be offered to anyone who wishes to receive it. The Maine CDC suggests people find vaccine through three possible avenues: call your health care provider; call 211; or check http://www.maineflu.gov for a list of public clinics. A full version of this advisory may be downloaded from the Maine CDC website by going to: www.mainepublichealth.gov. Please contact the MaineHAN Helpdesk at HAN@maine.gov if you have trouble accessing this document.
Vaccine Clinic: Southern Maine Community College will hold an H1N1 flu clinic on Wednesday, January 13, 2010, from 9am - 12pm, in the Campus Center Boardroom. The clinic will offer both H1N1 and seasonal flu shots (as long as the seasonal flu vaccine supply lasts).
The clinic will be a walk-in type clinic, so you will not need to call ahead for a reservation nor will you receive a specific time slot.
The eligibility for the H1N1 and seasonal flu shots is different so please read this carefully:
For the H1N1 flu shot, you can be:
An employee, spouse/partner of an employee, adult child (18 years or older) of an employee covered by employee’s health insurance, retiree, or spouse/partner of a retiree
Insured by any insurance company, not just Anthem. This means that if you, as the state employee, or your spouse are covered say under your spouse’s insurance and it is not State Employee Health Insurance, then we will accept it as long as you are a State employee and you and your spouse both bring your health insurance cards with you to the clinic
A state employee or a retiree of state government without any health insurance. No employee, retiree or employee/retiree dependent at least 18 years old will be turned away for an H1N1 shot due to no insurance.
For the seasonal flu shot: you must be:
An employee, spouse/partner of an employee, adult child of an employee over 18 years of age, retiree or a retirees spouse/partner and they must be an Anthem member of the State Employee Health Insurance Program. Everyone must bring their Anthem/State Employee Health Insurance Program card with them.
If you can’t come to the SMCC clinic, you can go to any one of the state employee worksite clinics, but remember to bring your Anthem BC/BS Health Insurance card with you and to wear short sleeves.
You can see the full list of clinics scheduled at the Employee Health and Benefits Web site at http://www.maine.gov/beh and look under the Upcoming Events Section. Check the site at least once a day as new clinics will continue to be added as they are scheduled.
If you think you are interested in getting either or both flu shots, go to the CDC Flu Webpage and read the Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS) for both vaccines:
For more information about the seasonal flu and flu shots, talk to your healthcare provider, and visit the CDC's website at www.cdc.gov or the Maine CDC website at http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/Influenza.htm
SMCC Flu Kits:
The College has created more than 500 “Get Well” kits, containing Kleenex tissues, a disposable thermometer, antibacterial wipes, cough drops, acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Resident students can request the kits, which are available at the New Residence Hall front desk.
Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) is dedicated to the safety of our students, employees, and visitors. The College continues to closely monitor the H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak, both locally and nationally. Staff members are regularly in contact with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention as well as local and county emergency management agencies. The College intends to follow the guidelines made by the Centers for Disease Control for institutions of higher education.
SMCC's plan for dealing with a possible outbreak of H1N1 includes the following key components:
Preventive measures designed to protect the overall health and welfare of the College community, including an educational campaign to promote good hygiene, revised cleaning/sanitizing protocols for common areas, and the availability of hand sanitizer in high traffic areas.
Continuous communication with emergency management agencies for guidance and support in College decision-making.
Continuity of services, including continuation of instruction using the College's Learning Management System and caring for students in residence halls who are unable to go home.
If you are sick with flu-like illness:
Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
People at high risk for flu complications who become ill with flu-like symptoms should speak with their health care provider as soon as possible.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes H1N1 flu symptoms as follows:
The symptoms of H1N1 in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include:
fever
cough
sore throat
body aches
headache
chills
fatigue
Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with H1N1 infection in people. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
The CDC's recommendations to reduce your risk of becoming infected:
Cover coughs and sneezes with your sleeve or elbow.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Wash hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing.
Commuter students who develop flu-like symptoms should not attempt to come to class. The CDC is recommending that individuals remain at home for at least 24 hours after they are free of fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. Students should contact their faculty by email at the onset of the flu-like symptoms and also send a message to flu@smccme.edu (please include student name in email).
Residence hall students should notify the residence life staff as soon as they develop flu-like symptoms. Students who develop flu-like symptoms should go home if they can do so safely. If they are unable to go home safely, the College will facilitate self-isolation. Roommates/suitemates of students who exhibit flu-like symptoms will be offered the opportunity to move to an alternative location until the immediate threat of infection has passed. Back to Top >>
Staff/Faculty:
If you become ill with flu-like symptoms, please follow existing College procedures as follows:
• Faculty are to call Security and their chair
• Staff are to call their supervisor
• Send an email to flu@smccme.edu
Maine’s community colleges are working closely with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and local emergency management agencies to stay informed and ensure a coordinated, effective response to a possible flu outbreak. The MCCS is also following closely the guidance of both the state and federal Centers for Disease Control. This guidance includes:
H1N1 Information
