Swine flu

Following the World Health Organisation’s (www.who.int/en/) declaration of a level 6 pandemic in June 2009, work has been underway to develop a vaccine for the H1N1 (Human Swine Flu) virus. That vaccine became available in Australia on 30 September.

The Commonwealth Government is encouraging all Australians to protect themselves and their community by being immunised. While there will be enough vaccinations for every person in Australia, priority is being given currently to those considered to be in high risk groups. These are: pregnant women, parents and guardians of infants up to six months old, people with underlying chronic conditions (including: heart disease; asthma and other lung diseases; cancer; diabetes; kidney disease; neurological disease; other chronic conditions), people who are severely obese, indigenous Australians, frontline health workers and community care workers. If you fall into one of these categories, you are advised to speak to your GP asap.

UTAS is running an onsite bulk vaccination program for interested staff using an online booking system. To book please click the following link:

http://utas.healthyworker.com.au

If you are unable to attend a session on your campus, and would like to receive a vaccine, you will need to make an appointment with your GP. The vaccination is free of charge to all Australians and some GP practices are running bulkbilling vaccination clinics (including the University Health Centre on the Sandy Bay Campus, phone 6226 2102 for more information).

Please note that any additional payment to GPs (ie. for a standard consultation in addition to receiving the vaccine) will not be reimbursed by the University.

It should be further noted that the pandemic influenza vaccine does not replace the seasonal influenza vaccine. Seasonal influenza programs will continue to run annually in the autumn.

For more information on the H1 N1 Vaccine, please:

visit the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing’s website: http://www.healthemergency.gov.au/internet/healthemergency/publishing.nsf/Content/vaccine

visit the Tasmanian Government site: www.pandemic.tas.gov.au/

visit the vaccine website: www.h1n1vax.com.au; or,

contact a member of the UTAS Swine Flu Taskforce (David Rich, Richard Easther, Gary O’Donovan, Paul Rigby, Nigel Ewan, Janine McGuinness, Juanita Westbury, Bernard Griffiths and Stuart Andrews). Any issues that you would like to refer to the Taskforce can be done by contacting: dfa.feedback@utas.edu.au.

swine_tips

International travel:

Please consult DFAT travel warnings regularly prior to any overseas travel and, in particular, note: www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Health-Swine_Influenza. The latest DFAT warning concerns risk of being quarantined on arrival at your destination:

If you have any queries regarding sick leave or carer’s leave in relation to Swine Flu, please contact your area’s Human Resources Advisor (www.admin.utas.edu.au/hr/about_hr/staff_resp_level.html).

David Rich
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) & Provost.