Campus Flu Vaccine Supply Update (11/19/09)

Seasonal and H1N1 vaccines by appointment Monday November 23
Seasonal Flu Shots (open to the community) and H1N1 Flu Shots (for high priority groups only)
By appointment Monday, November 23
10am-4pm, by appointment only

WHERE: Tang Center, 2222 Bancroft Way

Call 510/643-7177 to make an appointment. See costs and payment methods here.

*Please note that we have a limited supply of vaccines. More vaccines will be arriving. Check back frequently for updates

2009 Seasonal Flu Vaccine

UHS is receiving small deliveries of the seasonal flu vaccine. Seasonal flu vaccine is available to the campus community by appointment in the Allergy/Travel clinic; please call 510/643-7177 to make an appointment.

Our next Seasonal Flu Shot Clinic will be held Wednesday December 2 from 12noon-6pm. No appointment needed. Open to all adults. Clinic will held on the 1st floor of the Tang Center, 2222 Bancroft Way. See costs and payment methods here.

2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine
University Health Services has received a limited supply of H1N1 vaccine. UHS will target this initial supply to the UC Berkeley student population, prioritizing the most at-risk individuals established by public health guidelines.

UC Berkeley faculty and staff are urged to contact their primary care providers to receive the H1N1 vaccine.  Faculty and staff whose primary care provider is University Health Services, through Health Net, will be eligible to receive the vaccine at UHS and will be prioritized following established priority guidelines.

Please check back for updates.

Priority Populations for H1N1 Vaccine

Priority Populations

• Pregnant women
  
• Students who live with or provide care to children under 6 months of age
  
• UC Berkeley childcare employees who provide care to children under 6 months of age
  
• Students age 18-64 who are at higher risk of complications from influenza because of chronic health disorders such as asthma,  diabetes or a weakened immune system (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/highrisk.htm)
  
• Health care personnel who provide direct patient contact

Secondary Priority Populations
In addition to the above groups, healthy UC Berkeley students aged 24 and younger will be the next group to receive the H1N1 vaccine. As the vaccine supply increases, UHS expects to expand the target groups for immunization to include more of the campus community.


H1N1 Vaccine FAQs - updated 11/6/09

Q: Why should I get the H1N1 vaccine?
Influenza vaccines are highly effective in preventing influenza disease. Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza infection and its complications. When you get vaccinated, you protect not only yourself, but also those around you such as family, friends, classmates and co-workers.

Q: Is the H1N1 vaccine safe?
Yes. We expect the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine to have a similar safety profile as seasonal flu vaccines, which have a very good safety track record. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be closely monitoring for any signs that the vaccine is causing unexpected adverse events and we will work with state and local health officials to investigate any unusual events. Visit the CDC page for more details.

Q: When will the vaccine arrive? How will I know when it’s available? 
UHS is awaiting confirmation of the first shipment of H1N1 vaccines. We will update this web page as soon as we have the vaccine.

Q: Should I get the 2009 H1N1 nasal vaccine or injectable (shot) version?
If you are a healthy individual between the ages of 2-49 with NO chronic medical conditions, are not pregnant and have a healthy immune system, you may be able to get either the nasal or injectable (shot) vaccine.

If you are older than 49, pregnant or have a chronic medical condition, the H1N1 injectable (shot) is the appropriate choice for you.

Q: If I think I've already had H1N1, do I need to get the H1N1 vaccine?
Yes. It is recommended that you get the H1N1 vaccine unless you have tested positive for H1N1.

Q: How much will the H1N1 vaccine cost at UHS?
The cost is $15 (free for SHIP members) for the administration of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine. The vaccines are provided to UHS at no cost, however UHS will incur expenses related to administering the vaccine.

Q: Will you be prioritizing who can get the vaccines?
University Health Services (UHS) has ordered a substantial amount of the H1N1 vaccine, which has not yet arrived. Due to national and statewide distribution delays, the initial shipment will be limited in quantity and subsequent deliveries may be sporadic. As a result of this delay UHS will target the initial supply to the UC Berkeley student population, prioritizing the most at-risk individuals established by public health guidelines.

UC Berkeley faculty and staff are urged to contact their primary care providers to receive the H1N1 vaccine.  Faculty and staff whose primary care provider is University Health Services, through Health Net, will be eligible to receive the vaccine at UHS and will be prioritized following established priority guidelines.

Flu Vaccine Costs and Payment Methods

• Seasonal flu vaccine is $25, $5 for students with SHIP.
  
• H1N1 flu vaccine is $15, FREE for students with SHIP.
  
• Payment accepted: cash, check and credit cards.

For students who have SHIP:

• Seasonal flu vaccines are covered at 80%. H1N1 vaccines are covered at 100% by SHIP.

• If you get your seasonal flu vaccine at the Tang Center:
  You will pay your 20% ($5) and the Student Health Insurance Office will submit your claim directly for the remaining 80% balance.

• If you get your flu vaccine outside of the Tang Center:
  No pre-authorization is necessary due to the limited availability of flu vaccine at the Tang Center this year.
  
  Reimbursement for the vaccine requires you to pay for the services in full and bring the a copy of the bill and your receipt of payment to the Student Health Insurance Office at the Tang Center (or use the drop box near the Information Desk on the first floor of the Tang Center). Be sure to have billing information attached to the receipt such as your Anthem Blue Cross number (a copy of your card) and your student identification number.

Click here for the main UHS H1N1 web resources page.

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