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Health Alerts

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Influenza

FLU SEASON IS COMING, GET IMMUNIZED!

Please Note, the fall 2011 flu clinic is now full. Other options for the Flu immunizations in the Sackville community are:

- Jean Coutu Pharmacy is holding a flu clinic on Wednesday October 26th from 10-4. They will also do booked appointments with pharmacist following that clinic. Please call 536-0230 to book your vaccine.
-Tantramar Pharmacy will do booked appointments with the pharmacist for the influenza vaccine. Please call 536-3855 to book your vaccine.
- Family Physicians' Offices

Each October, the Mount Allison Community will receive an email from Health Services advising you of the dates for the Flu Clinic. Once you receive this email, PLEASE CALL 364-2163 TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR A FLU SHOT!

The flu normally lasts 6 to 8 days for most people and is one of the most easily spread (and caught) viruses. The flu vaccine can significantly decrease your chances of getting sick with the flu and is said to be 70 to 90 percent effective in preventing the flu in healthy adults. Please read our flu brochure for more information (pdf)

The Wellness Centre at Mount Allison University is once again making available to current students, staff and faculty a flu vaccination clinic to be held in the fall of the year. There are categories of individuals who may qualify for publicly funded vaccination at no charge. Please read the following criteria carefully, as you will need to notify the Wellness Centre receptionist if you qualify for a free vaccine when you book your appointment. If you do not qualify, there will be a $15.00 charge for the vaccine. FYI. There is a limited number of vaccines available.

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you qualify for a
publicly funded vaccine:

DO YOU (or a household contact) have:
- Cardiac or pulmonary disorders (including bronchopulmonary dysplasia cystic fibrosis, asthma)
- Diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases
- Cancer, immunodeficiency, immunosuppression (due to underlying disease and/or therapy)
- Renal disease
- Anemia or hemoglovinopathy
- Conditions that compromise the management of respiratory secretions and are associated with an increased risk of aspiration

Read more about Influenza

• http://www.influenza.cpha.ca/english/start.htm
• http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2007/2007_166-eng.php
• http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/iif-vcg/index-eng.php
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fluwatch/index-eng.php
http://immunize.cpha.ca/en/diseases-vaccines/influenza.aspx

Measles, Mumps, Rubella

Free! Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine (one shot)

Persons eligible for the publicly funded vaccine:
All those 18-24 years old.
All those attending post-secondary institutions born in or later than 1970.

Mumps means nine days in isolation!

It is a viral infection that causes fever, headache, swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands (below the ear). About 1/3 of people have no symptoms. The first symptoms usually appear 16 to 18 days after exposure. It begins with fever and pain upon opening the mouth or eating. In some cases, severe testicular pain and swelling occurs as well. Mumps can cause sterility, meningitis, arthritis and deafness.

In other words, getting the mumps really, really is no fun.

Who qualifies?
All university and college students (born in 1970 and after) and all individuals who are 18-24 years of age.

How is it spread?
The mumps virus is found most often in saliva. It is spread by direct contact or by droplets through sneezes and coughs. Mumps is most easily spread 48 hours before the symptoms begin.

The best way to prevent mumps is to be vaccinated against it. The mumps vaccine is given in one injection together with the measles and rubella vaccines, known as MMR vaccine. Most people who get the vaccine will not experience any side effects. In rare instances, some swelling of the glands in the cheeks and under the jaw may appear, lasting for a few days. This could happen from one to two weeks following the shot.

Recent cases of Mumps in NB and in NS have been unusually high since January 2007.
Approximately 400 cases in NS and 100 cases in NB have been reported since early 2007. Measles cases (86) were also reported in Quebec since April 2007.

The re-emergence of Mumps is occurring primarily in the19-29 year old group (many are university or college students). The immunity acquired by the first vaccine that you should have received as a baby might have weakened; therefore, a second dose is recommended to provide good protection.

Public Health services and its physicians are strongly encouraging you to receive a second dose of the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

Very few side effects have been reported with this vaccine. This vaccine should not be administered to pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant in the month following vaccination.

For more information on the vaccine go to http://www.gnb.ca/0053/factsheets/pdf/MMR_vaccine-e.pdf