September 18, 2009 | The University
Since our last H1N1 update, there have been several developments that we would like to share with the CUNY Community. On September 1st, 2009, CUNY participated in the Mayor’s press conference where Mayor Bloomberg, Health Commissioner Farley and other senior city officials announced New York City’s response strategy for the upcoming flu season, addressing both seasonal influenza and novel H1N1 influenza. Although the Mayor reported that the H1N1 influenza this fall is expected to be no more severe than it was last spring, the City is making every effort to help prevent the spread of the flu, and CUNY continues to take appropriate action to implement the City’s program throughout the University.
Methods of slowing influenza transmission include proper hygiene (washing hands thoroughly, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when ill) and getting vaccinated. There are two separate vaccines that will be available this year, one for seasonal flu and one for novel H1N1. Because certain cohorts seem to be more susceptible to flu, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene encourages specific groups to get vaccinated. To see which groups are recommended for each vaccine or to learn more about community resources and flu monitoring, visit the NYC DOHMH Influenza Web Portal (http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/flu/flu.shtml). At the press conference, Health Commissioner Farley said that the seasonal flu vaccine is currently available in New York City. On September 15, Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services testified before Congress that the H1N1 vaccine has been approved and will be available in mid-October. To find out where vaccines may be obtained, visit the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Flu Clinic Locator (https://a816-healthpsi.nyc.gov/FluPublic/mainView.do;jsessionid=095499084766F527D979BB16CD2BA8BF).
CUNY has briefed all of the campus presidents and will continue to monitor H1N1 developments and issue regular updates. For more information please see the Influenza Web Portal or call 311. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your campus Director of Health Services or the University Office of Environmental, Health, Safety and Risk Management (riskmanagement@mail.cuny.edu).
Allan Dobrin
Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer