Pandemic Flu
The flu vaccine is now widely available. U-M affiliated persons, ages 10 and older, can receive the vaccine from the University Health Service by appointment. Currently enrolled students can receive the vaccine free of charge. See the UHS flu vaccination website page for more information about UHS vaccine appointments.
Where to get the flu vaccine:
Students: University Health Service now offers the vaccine to all currently enrolled students at no charge. See the UHS flu vaccination website page for more information about making an appointment.
Faculty and Staff: If you do not work for the health system, check first with your primary care provider--your regular doctor's office--or UHS. Also check the Washtenaw County health department for information about their vaccination clinics.
U-M Hospital Staff and Patients: At the U-M Health System. Check with them for more information.
Seasonal flu vaccine is also widely available.
Most importantly, try to stay healthy. Simple but important steps to stay healthy include:
Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water.
Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and dispose of the tissue immediately.
Avoid touching your face with your hands.
Avoid close contact with those who are ill.
While there are a number of cases of flu at U-M, so far the number remains manageable and we continue to operate normally. Of course, university experts in influenza will continue to collaborate with local, state and federal health officials and be prepared to follow any new recommendations.
However, here are some important things to keep in mind should you become ill.
What to do if you become ill with the flu
Stay home when ill: That’s the advice for students, faculty and staff who become ill with the flu. Symptoms include: fever, cough, sore throat. Those who become ill with the flu should stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours, without the use of fever-lowering medication.
Student Flu Reporting
It is each student's responsibility to notify ALL instructors should you become ill.
Additional Steps For Students:
Identify another student at the start of term who can take notes for you, should you become sick and miss class.
Students are responsible for:
Notifying ALL instructors should you become ill
Making up all the work in the class:
If you miss deadlines or exams because you are ill, you should be given penalty-free ways to make up work
It is your responsibility to work with your instructors in determining appropriate ways to make up work
Be aware that the Provost’s office has indicated that current policies and procedures regarding dropping classes will NOT be changed
Contact your academic advisors for information on drop/add deadlines (dropping classes can have many unexpected effects and costs, and is not an automatic)
If you have concerns regarding your academic situation, you should contact your academic advisor
If you have other serious concerns or are in need of additional assistance, please contact Angela Farrehi in the Office Student Affairs (afarrehi@umich.edu or 734-615-1405). Alternatively, you may also contact the Dean of Students office (734-764-7420).
What you can do to stay healthy
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough into your elbow (not your hands). Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Practice good health habits
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, drink plenty of fluids, manage your stress and eat nutritious foods.