 | | Letter from Kathryn
Hutchinson, Ph.D.,
Senior Associate Vice President of
Student Affairs
|
August, 2012
Dear STJ
Parent,
As we prepare for another academic year at St. John’s University
we are also preparing our students to stay well. Although we do not
know how severe this season’s flu will be, we do understand that
you may have particular anxieties about student health and well
being and we would like to advise you of the steps we have taken to
help our campus community stay well.
St. John’s is as prepared as possible for flu and other health
concerns. All St. John’s students have been advised and will be
repeatedly reminded of how to protect themselves from
contracting the flu. In particular, we have stressed the importance
of frequent hand washing with soap and water as a first line of
defense; if that is not possible, we have advised them to use a
hand sanitizer. They have also been told to avoid sharing
toiletries, drinking glasses or any personal items, and to cough
into a tissue, throw it away immediately and then wash their
hands.
If your student has an underlying medical condition—such as
asthma, diabetes, heart or kidney disease—he or she is at higher
risk for complications from the flu.Your health care provider can
help you to determine a plan should your student become ill.
All students received a communication in July regarding the need to
be proactive and develop a plan in the event of illness, we
encourage that you review the plan you have developed with your
son/daughter frequently.
Other guidelines, updates and information your student has
received can be found on our
website. We ask that you visit the site to familiarize yourself
with the information we have made available for your student.
Please remind your son/daughter to do the same. It is especially
important if you are located in other areas of the U.S. or in
another country as guidelines may differ.
Seasonal flu vaccines which this year will include the
2009 H1N1 flu are scheduled to be available for our students in
early November. The fee will be $5 per student.
Please advise your son or daughter to look for more information
about distribution of the flu vaccines on St. John’s Central. If
your son/daughter is unable to get the flu vaccine on the day it is
offered on campus we will post information on the web site
regarding the New York City sponsored sites available in the area
that will be giving the flu vaccinations.
Should your student have concerns about the flu or any other
health issue, she or he can contact Student Health Services on the
Queens Campus (718)
990-6360 or the Staten Island Campus (718) 390-
4447.