Issue date: 11/13/09 Section: News

Freshman speech pathology major Lauren Plumb sanitizes her hands before leaving the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union on Monday, Sept. 14. (Katie Glaze/The Daily Eastern News)

After the two-day H1N1 vaccine clinic, 1,000 doses remain, according to Sheila Baker, medical director for Health Service.

Health Service will have another clinic from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday in the University Ballroom in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, 1,300 people received the H1N1 immunization, Baker said.

Six hundred vaccines were administered at the clinic Wednesday, and 700 on Tuesday.

"We are pleased with the turnout but would like to get another 1,000 people vaccinated before Thanksgiving Break," Baker said. Right now the vaccine is being administered to those established as high risk by the Centers for Disease Control.

"Because of the overall shortage of vaccine at this time due to delayed production of the vaccine, only those people considered in the high-risk categories or priority groups, are to receive the vaccine at this time," Baker said. "We will begin vaccinating the entire population once the CDC gives approval."

Those considered to be high risk include: 10- to 24-year-olds, 25- to 64-year-olds with chronic conditions, pregnant women, care-givers for infants less than 6 months of age, and healthcare workers.

As of Nov. 11, about 400 H1N1 cases had been confirmed among Eastern students, Baker said in a university news release. This means about 3 percent of the student body has had the virus. But because the illness usually lasts about a week, the percentage of affected students at any given time has been minimal, she said in the release.

Most cases on campus have been mild to moderate, and students are asked to go home to recover when able.

There is no charge for the vaccine, but those interested need to bring their Panther Card.

Health service dispels rumors
In a statement in the university newsletter, Baker said there is no truth to the rumors that Eastern's campus will close because of H1N1.

"I was asked to write a statement regarding school closure because our office as well as media relations, had received phone calls about closing classes since our infection rate was so high," Baker said in an interview. "We thought it best to dispel those rumors quickly. We wanted students to know the truth."

All classes and activities are being held as scheduled, and commencement plans are proceeding as usual.

Emily Zulz can be reached at 581-7942 or eazulz@eiu.edu.

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