Novel H1N1 Influenza Virus Updates

This change will hopefully reduce the wait time and congestion among patients obtaining vaccine or seeing a physician.

Other information

• There is no charge for H1N1 vaccine.  However, any student who has received a credit for their Health Fee for the semester will be assessed the fee at the time of getting the vaccine.  The Health Fee is a University Fee to help fund the Health Center.  Health Fees are present at every university.  For more information on the Health Fee, click on:   http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/staff/webpages/site.cfm?LinkID=123&eventID=30

• The State and local health departments have been very intentional and generous to Ferris State with their weekly allotments of H1N1 vaccine. While the national vaccine "pipeline" seems to be opening up little by little, there are still many universities and communities with little or no vaccine available for even the most high risk populations including the very young, pregnant women, and others with compromised immune systems. We will continue to administer the vaccine as long as it is made available to us and the need is present.

• Here is a summary of those groups who are currently eligible to receive H1N1 vaccine according to CDC rules for health care providers:


1. Pregnant women
2. Children six months and older and those up to 24 years of age
3. Health care (those who are in direct patient contact) and emergency first responder personnel
4. Anyone with a compromised immune system or chronic condition which puts one at risk for influenza.

• Healthy individuals 25 years and older will be the next population to become eligible for the H1N1 vaccine. Stay tuned for information regarding vaccine for this age group.

• The Health Center has received 720 doses of H1N1 vaccine and will continue to receive and administer weekly allotments.


• The Health Center administered over 1000 doses of seasonal vaccine and has a few doses of student vaccine still available.


• As of Thursday, November 5, 2009, about 160 students had been diagnosed with Influenza-like Illness (ILI) or H1N1 since fall semester started. The rate of new cases has decreased significantly in the last two weeks. Most students are better or completely well and there have been no known complications.

• Congratulations to students, staff, and faculty for all your efforts to stay healthy and well and manage your illnesses! We are not done yet; keep it up!

• For more flu information, check the Birkam Health Center website, www.ferris.edu/birkamhealthcenter/, CDC www.cdc.gov/flu, or see the special link on the Ferris State homepage.

Paul Sullivan, Ph.D., LPC
Director, Birkam Health and Counseling Centers
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Michigan 49307