H1N1 Flu

Employee Clinics

Beginning January 12, McMaster is hosting free H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccination clinics for all employees.

Employees can choose to have the H1N1 vaccination, the seasonal flu vaccination, or both. The two vaccines can be administered at the same clinic in 2 separate needles. There is no known interaction between the two vaccines.

Clinics are scheduled as follows:

  • Tuesday, January 12th from 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Downtown Centre, Room 240

  • Wednesday, January 13th from 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Health Science Building, Ewart Angus Centre

  • Thursday, January 14th from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the Student Centre, 3rd Floor CIBC Hall

  • Friday, January 15th from 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. in the Student Centre, 3rd Floor CIBC Hall
  • Please bring your employee identification and wear a short sleeve shirt. For more information about employee flu clinics visit www.workingatmcmaster.ca/healthy-workplace or call ext.23275.

    Students will not be able to receive their flu shots at employee flu clinics but should visit Hamilton Public Health for dates and locations of city clinics.  

     

    Flu Update

    November 26, 2009

    Hamilton Public Health has announced it will be closing its H1N1 Flu vaccination clinics after Friday, Dec. 4. Vaccine will continue to be available from family doctors and at walk-in clinics.

    Information on this week’s Public Health Clinics is available here.

     

    Flu Update

    November 24, 2009

    This week's vaccination clinic schedule can be found here.

     

    Flu Update

    November 17, 2009

    Hamilton Public Health has opened its H1N1 vaccination clinics to the general population. People should expect to wait at least 30 minutes for their vaccination.

    This week's schedule can be found here.

    Flu Update

    November 16, 2009

    Hamilton Public Health has released the schedule for H1N1 Vaccination Clinics for the week of Nov. 16. The schedule is available here

    Certain groups and individuals are eligible to receive the vaccine at the clinics.

     

    Flu Update

    October 30, 2009

    Hamilton Public Health has released the schedule for H1N1 Vaccination Clinics for the week of Nov. 1. The schedule is available here

    Certain groups and individuals are eligible to receive the vaccine at the clinics.

     

    Flu Update

    October 26, 2009

    Hamilton Public Health has begun its H1N1 vaccination clinics. For the week of October 26, certain groups and individuals are eligible to receive the vaccine at three clinics. More information is available here.

    Next week, Hamilton Public Health will identify the locations and dates of future vaccination clinics.

     

    Posted on October 19, 2009

    As the academic term progresses, McMaster continues to implement its flu preparedness plans.

    As a reminder, individuals who are exhibiting influenza-like symptoms are reminded to stay home until 24 hours after symptoms have improved and your fever is gone.

    H1N1 Influenza-Like Illness Reporting

    McMaster students who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should report those symptoms using the University’s self-reporting online tool.

    As a part of business continuity management the University is also preparing an online flu symptoms self reporting tool for employees to quickly and easily report flu symptoms to the University’s Occupational Health Nurse. This self reporting tool will only be used to collect aggregate data for identifying clusters of cases and to determine the impact of flu on the University.

    Ontario’s Flu Vaccine Strategy
    Recently the provincial government announced their "Flu Vaccine Strategy” for this season. The complete announcement can be found here.

    In this announcement, the government stated it is delaying seasonal influenza vaccinations until January while H1N1 vaccinations will be available in November.  As a result, the University has indefinitely postponed its Seasonal Influenza Clinics for employees and students until further direction from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and our local Public Health Units.   Public Health Services for the City of Hamilton will be conducting free H1N1 vaccination clinics for members of the public.  Details on the location of these clinics have not yet been released.

     

    Education, self screening, early identification key to University’s H1N1 plan

    Posted on September 1, 2009 at 11:00 AM

    As students prepare to return to campus to start the academic year, McMaster University continues implementation of its pandemic preparedness plans. The McMaster Pandemic Influenza Guide is available here.

    The University’s plans have been drafted in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care which is also finalizing provincial guidelines for the prevention and management of H1N1 in colleges and universities.

    Education, early identification/self-screening and special precautionary measures are key themes to help minimize the spread of the virus on campus.

    Education

    McMaster has undertaken an extensive H1N1 education program for members of the community. This program includes:

    1. Creating and updating a dedicated website for H1N1 updates, information and important contacts
    2. Continuing a campus-wide educational campaign to promote hand hygiene, cough/sneeze etiquette and other information
    3. Creating a self screening tool for H1N1 like illness
    4. Consistent reminders for those with H1N1 like illness to stay at home or remain isolated in residence rooms until they no longer have a fever and are feeling better

    Early Identification/Self Screening

    The provincial guidelines establish self-screening as the protocol for students returning to campus.
    McMaster has developed a self-screening tool to assist members of the community determine whether they are exhibiting H1N1-like illness symptoms. The self-screening tool also provides information on next steps for someone to take when they may be experience symptoms.

    Precautionary Measures

    McMaster has taken pro-active measures focused on :

    1. Installed hand sanitizer dispensing units in each campus building
    2. Increased frequency of cleaning in high traffic areas
    3. Targeted cleaning of push bars on doors, all door handles, all light switches, taps and sinks, photocopier handles and buttons, buttons on printers and faxes, handrails on stairways, etc.
    This website will be updated as information and events warrant.

     

    Campus update

    Posted on June 15, 2009 at 04:30 PM.

    The spread of H1N1 flu continues to be the focus of attention across Canada and around the world. To date, nearly 29,000 cases of the virus have been reported worldwide.

    Over the past few weeks, H1N1 cases have been reported across Southern Ontario and in the Hamilton and Burlington areas. As of June 12, 2009 there were 1,781 confirmed H1N1 cases in Ontario.

    A McMaster employee has now reported being diagnosed with the H1N1 virus. In this case, the employee was on vacation at the time of diagnosis.

    The University has taken the following steps in regards to this situation:

    -Disinfected the employee's workspace and work area

    -Notified individuals who may have had direct contact with the infected employee prior to the diagnosis

    -Notified Hamilton Public Health

    The employee has taken all appropriate precautions, is expected to fully recover and will remain away from work until doctors have advised a return to work is acceptable and poses no risk.

    There is no indication from Public Health that any activities at the University need to be curtailed because of concerns about the H1N1 flu.

    Since the initial North American cases of H1N1 were first reported, McMaster has undertaken the following actions to prepare for any eventual on-campus infections:

    -Created an H1N1 Flu web site updated with information and instructions: http://www.mcmaster.ca/opr/h1n1_flu/

    -Placed posters around campus reminding individuals of the importance of proper hand washing

    -Issued reminders about covering coughs and sneezes

    -Informed employees and others to stay at home if they have any flu-like symptoms and to immediately see a doctor

    -Make antiseptic cleaners available to employees

     

    Employees are encouraged to continue to practice these flu prevention measures year-round.

    To better understand the University's approach to pandemic planning please refer to the Business Continuity Planning program in McMaster's Risk Management Manual at: http://www.workingatmcmaster.ca/eohss/businesscontinuity/

    McMaster will continue to take direction from Hamilton Public Health as to best practices and approaches to ensure the campus community is informed about this situation.

     

    Canada lifts travel advisory to Mexico

    Posted on May 19, 2009 at 09:00 AM.

    The Public Health Agency of Canada is no longer recommending Canadians postpone elective or non-essential travel to Mexico due to the H1N1 flu outbreak.

    The lifting of the recommendation comes after the government reviewed the latest information from Mexico that indicates the risk of contracting the virus has decreased. In addition, nearly all of the cases reported in Canada and the United States have been mild.

    For more information, click here.

     

    Message to the McMaster Community

    Posted on May 01, 2009 at 09:00 AM.

    Dear members of the McMaster community,

    The University’s Crisis Management Team has been meeting to monitor the developments of the H1N1 flu, information from public health officials, and any actions that are required by the University to maintain health and safety at McMaster.

    A web site with updated information and useful links and information is available on the Daily News page and this site will be regularly updated.

    The focus of public health is the prevention of any spread of the disease. The best methods of prevention are to wash your hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes and to stay home if you have any flu-like symptoms. A travel advisory has also been issued by the federal government warning against all non-essential travel to Mexico.

    University maintenance staff members are taking additional precautions to ensure a high level of disinfecting when areas are cleaned and advanced cleaning for high contact areas such as door knobs and railings.

    We encourage you to regularly check the Daily News web site for new information.

    McMaster Crisis Management Team

    H1N1 Flu Public Health Hotline

    Posted on May 01, 2009 at 09:00 AM.

    Hamilton Public Health has activated a hotline to answer any general health related questions about H1N1 flu. The phone number is 905-546-2424 ext. 7970. The hotline will be staffed by public health nurses and will be available Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 to 4:00 p.m.

    The province of Ontario has also established a hotline that can be reached at 1-800-476-9708.

    Swine Flu update

    Posted on April 30, 2009 at 11:30 AM.

    The development of the swine flu in Mexico and a number of other countries including Canada is being closely followed by Hamilton Public Health, along with provincial, federal and world health agencies. The University is monitoring developments and will be sharing any information that will be helpful to the McMaster community.

    Foreign Affairs Canada has issued a warning against non-essential travel to Mexico due to the outbreak of human swine influenza. Any students, faculty or staff members who are planning to travel to Mexico are encouraged to follow this advice and to check the federal government's Travel Advisory web site (hot link) for any updates.

    As a precaution the Student Health is monitoring patients it sees for any flu-like symptoms and faculty and staff are encouraged to contact their doctor if they have any concerns about their own health. Anyone who has recently travelled to Mexico and who develops symptoms of influenza or severe respiratory illness especially a high fever should seek medical attention immediately.

    Health officials are recommending that people follow the same precautionary measures as are advised with seasonal influenza:

    • Wash your hands often
    • Cover coughs and sneezes
    • Stay home when ill
    The University's Crisis Management Team has focused much of its times over the past several years preparing plans for a pandemic response. The Team will continue to monitor any developments and will work closely with Hamilton Public Health as the situation unfolds. Additional information can be found at: Public Health Agency of Canada, Travel Advisories, and the World Health Organization.

     

    Human swine influenza

    Posted on April 28, 2009 at 08:30 AM.

    Foreign Affairs has issued a warning against non-essential travel to Mexico due to the outbreak of human swine influenza. If you are planning a trip to Mexico you are encouraged to follow this advice and to check the federal government's Travel Advisory website at http://www.voyage.gc.ca/index-eng.asp. More information about human swine influenza can be found at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php.

     

    Links

    MacFiLLiN - Student Illness and Injury Reporting Tool

    McMaster Pandemic Influenza Guide

    McMaster Business Continuity Plan

    Stop the Spread Poster

    Hand Hygiene Poster

    Self-Screening Tool

    McMaster University FAQ Sheet

    Provincial Guidelines for 2009 Influenza Virus – Colleges and Universities

    H1N1 Information Session (Video - iTunes U)

    H1N1 Information in Other Languages

    Guidelines - Learners in Clinical Placements

     

     

    Flu Precautions

    • Wash your hands frequently
    • Stay home if you have any flu-like symptoms
    • Cover coughs and sneezes

     

    Hotlines

    Local
    Hamilton Public Health Services
    (905) 546-2424 ext 7970

    Provincial
    ServiceOntario INFOline
    1-800-476-9708

    Telehealth Ontario
    1-866-797-0000