Updated November 16, 2009

In response to the H1N1 pandemic declared by the World Health Organization, and the national emergency declared by President Obama, Sackler and the School of Medicine are committed to keeping you up to date with the latest general pandemic and Tufts-specific information through multiple channels, including e-mail, the website, TUSK and brochures.

Tufts Health Advisory Brochure

We currently have 3 to 5 medical students reporting influenza-like illness. Fortunately, symptoms are mild. Accommodations for Sackler students can be made through the Sackler Dean's Office.

Faculty, staff and students will receive regular updates on flu action information both specific to them and related to the school of medicine community, including:

• When and how to get vaccinated
• Other preventive measures you can take
• Time off policy/flexibility for those who become ill (Employee Handbook, pp. 38-39)
• Information about how to work from home

Sackler Students

One free seasonal flu vaccine was held in September. Students who missed this clinic should contact their health care provider, search for Massachusetts-sponsored Flu Clinics near you, or consider the options listed on the TUSM announcement page. 

The H1N1 vaccine will be available at some point in November through a phased roll out. It is not yet clear when our first deliveries will arrive, or how large they will be.  The university plans to facilitate H1N1 vaccination for those students who are in one of the CDC prioritized categories, first (e.g., health care workers including medical students, anyone 24 years of age or younger, and those with special health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and certain respiratory conditions). Pregnant students should be in touch with their own health care providers about vaccination, as evidence to date indicates that pregnant women are at especially high risk for more serious complications.

We plan to provide the vaccine free of charge through on-campus clinics. More information will be forthcoming in November.

School of Medicine Faculty and Staff

Health Services anticipates receiving more seasonal flu vaccine within the next 2 months, and will advertise additional staff and faculty clinics at that time. Seasonal flu does not usually hit until January or February and we anticipate being able to vaccinate staff and faculty well before then. If you would like to receive the vaccine earlier, please contact your health care provider or consider the options listed on the right side of this page.

The H1N1 influenza vaccine will be available through a phased roll out at some point in November. It is not yet clear when our first deliveries will arrive, or how large they will be.

While the university plans to offer a vaccine clinic for faculty and staff in the CDC-prioritized categories (e.g., health care workers including medical students, pregnant women, anyone 24 years of age or younger, and those with special health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and certain respiratory conditions), we encourage individuals in these high-risk categories to consult their own primary care providers regarding H1N1 vaccination. In particular, pregnant women should be in touch with their own health care providers about vaccination, as evidence to date indicates that pregnant women are at especially high risk for serious complications.

Staff Sick Leave

Effective immediately are temporary modifications to some of the university's usual sick leave policies for staff. These special measures are designed to provide additional flexibility if you or members of your families become ill. The following apply to all benefits-eligible staff.

• If you do not currently have a balance of available sick days, you may borrow up to five (5) sick days from your future accumulation if you come down with the flu.  You will also be able to borrow up to five (5) sick days from your future accumulation to care for ill family members.
• If you currently have an available balance sick days, but have exhausted the usual allowance of ten (10) sick days for care of family members, you may use another five (5) personal sick days from your balance while caring for family members with the flu.
• In either of the above cases, if you need to stay home because your child's school is closed due to an influenza outbreak, you may use your illness-in-family days even if your own child is not will with the flu.

These policies will continue in effect until further notice. A detailed description of them, as well as related temporary changes to the medical leave policy and working from home, is available on the Human Resources website. Please contact your HR representatives with any questions about the policies.

Faculty Sick Leave

Since time-off policies for faculty vary from school to school, faculty with any questions about their own use of sick time are encouraged to contact their department chair or school dean's office.

Everyone

Cooperation from the entire medical school with the following actions is critical to safeguarding our community. PLEASE:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
• Use the hand sanitizer units located by elevators in all medical school buildings
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue or the sleeve of your shirt
• Stay home if you are ill

It is very important for anyone with flu-like symptoms to stay home.  Public health authorities recommend that anyone ill with flu self-isolate until they have been fever free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication). People without fever do not need to be concerned about having an influenza-like illness.

More information on flu preparedness at Tufts is available at Inside Tufts. Thank you for your collaboration as we work together to keep the Tufts community healthy.