November 13, 2009: Message from Dr. Susan Kitei, director of the Lehigh University Health and Wellness Center, to all faculty and staff

Dear Faculty and Staff:

We recently indicated if there were extra H1N1 flu shots following the two-day immunizing of Lehigh students on Nov. 10-11 that they would be offered to Lehigh faculty and staff members who are in high priority groups as defined by the CDC.

We're happy to report the Lehigh University Health and Wellness Center is able to provide H1N1 vaccinations, free of charge, for eligible faculty and staff members next week at a clinic on Wednesday, November 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Lamberton Hall's Great Room.

We will not be providing this vaccine for dependents and household contacts. Those in high priority groups who are searching for the vaccine should contact their local health bureau (610-865-7083 for Bethlehem residents) or their primary care health provider for assistance.

Faculty and staff who are eligible are those limited to the high priority groups: 1) all people through age 24 years; 2) people aged 25 to 64 years of age with underlying conditions (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/highrisk.htm) associated with higher risk of complications; 3) healthcare and emergency workers; 4) pregnant women; and 5) household contacts and caregivers for children younger than six months of age.

Faculty and staff members who plan on receiving the H1N1 vaccine next week should go to http://www.lehigh.edu/health, where they can access both the VIS (vaccine info sheet) for their review, and a consent form they can print out and complete in advance to help make the immunization process go more efficiently. A valid Lehigh I.D., as well as another form of identification that specifies date of birth, must be presented at the time the vaccine will be administered.

Individuals 25 years of age or over must present a note from a health care provider verifying that they are in a high priority group, on a prescription blank or letterhead stationery.

Sincerely,

Dr. Susan Kitei
Director
Lehigh University Health and Wellness Center