10/30/2001, Flu Shots for Penn Faculty and Staff: Winter 2001-2002

Flu Shots for Penn Faculty and Staff: Winter 2001-2002

Flu shots are planned for Penn's campus this winter. We are working with Occupational Medicine and are advised that vaccines will be available later than usual and in small batches. Therefore, vaccinations will be offered first to individuals with conditions that put them at high risk for complications from influenza (described in box below). As additional stores of vaccine become available, we will arrange for the vaccines on campus for faculty and staff not in a high-risk category.

We will announce exact plans through Almanac and post the information on the Human Resources Quality of Worklife web site, at www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/wellness.

We are not sure of the timing yet, but these shots are likely to be available in early to mid-December. If you have access to a flu vaccination through your personal physician, you may want to take advantage of that opportunity.

Conditions this year require us to charge a small amount for each shot. You will be asked to pay $5 in cash when you get your shot from Occupational Medicine or on campus.

If you have any questions regarding this plan, please contact Marilyn Kraut at (215) 898-0380 or kraut@hr.upenn.edu.

High Risk Categories

Individuals with high risk for complications from influenza are:

a. Persons aged over 65 years

b. Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities that house persons of any age who have chronic medical conditions

c. Children and adults who have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma

d. Children and adults who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or immunosuppression (e.g., caused by medications or human immunodeficiency virus)

e. Persons aged 6 months-18 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and therefore might be at risk for developing Reye syndrome after influenza

f. Women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the influenza season.

-- Marilyn Kraut, Quality of Worklife Programs, Division of Human Resources

Almanac, Vol. 48, No. 10, October 30, 2001

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS:

Tuesday,
October 30, 2001
Volume 48 Number 10
www.upenn.edu/almanac/

The answer is blowing in the wind; Penn agrees to purchase wind-generated electric energy.

The Political Science department has three newly appointed faculty members who have endowed chairs.

As winter weather approaches, the University has energy conservation initiatives ready to be implemented.

Dr. Norma Lang becomes the first woman and the first nurse to win the Codman Award.

The University celebrates 125 Years of Women at Penn, online with web sites and on campus with events.

The Government Affairs Update covers the recent developments in federal, commonwealth and city and community relations.

Volunteer opportunities in November are plentiful, including Shadowing Day and the Thanksgiving Food Drive.

There are two campus blood drives coming up in early November.