H1N1 (Swine Flu)
Academic Excused Absences
West Nile Virus
STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)
Cold Self Care Kit
Pharmacies
Meningitis - New State Regulations
Discount Pharmacy Programs, Mail Order Services
Proper Disposal of Needles and Syringes-New State Regulations
Pandemic Flu Information
Emergency Contraception, the Morning after Pill
Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, availability
Annual Flu Shots
Meningitis Vaccine Available
Immunization or Health Record Request
H1N1 (Swine Flu)
The novel H1N1 flu virus, formerly called Swine Flu, continues to cause illness in infected persons in the United States and countries around the world. CDC expects that illnesses may continue for some time. As a result, you or people around you may become ill. If so, you need to recognize the symptoms and know what to do.
H1N1 Self Evaluation
Click here for more information on H1N1 (Swine Flu)
Academic Excused Absences
It is the policy of Health Services to encourage students to talk directly with staff, faculty and/or the Academic Dean’s office about a need for any academic postponements or excused absences. Since instituting this policy in January of 2004, Health Services has not provided any form of written excuse notes. During each visit, students may elect to give Health Services permission to discuss that visit only with faculty, staff and/or parents. Health Services will verify the student’s appointment when requested by staff or faculty by email or telephone if permission from the student is on file.
West Nile Virus (WNV)
It’s not unusual for Massachusetts to have human cases of WNV occurring through September. People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from all illnesses caused by mosquitoes.
Avoid Mosquito Bites
Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning.
Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Apply Insect Repellent when outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.
Mosquito-Proof Your Home
Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.
Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
Report Dead Birds
Dead crows or blue jays may be a sign that WNV is circulating among the birds and mosquitoes in your area. Call 1-866-MASS WNV to report a dead bird. By reporting dead birds, you can play an important role in monitoring WNV.
West Nile Virus Information
STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) Testing
Although Health Services does offer STD testing, many health insurance policies do not cover this testing. Please consult with your health insurer's member service's department to find out if you have this coverage. This phone number is usually on your membership card. If you are not covered you may want to use one of the STD clinics that provide free testing. It is possible to take the MBTA to the clinics listed in Boston.
Massachusetts STD Clinics that provide free testing
Cold Self Care Kit
You may pick up your self care kit at Health Services. It contains a pain reliever, decongestant, throat lozenges, and cough drops.
Pharmacies
We do not have a pharmacy on campus. It is the student's responsibility to obtain their own ongoing prescriptions from the pharmacy. Most medications prescribed by Health Services for common illnesses, are provided.
For your convenience, prescriptions can be called into or transferred to the following pharmacies:
Walgreens (within walking distance)
1065 Truman Highway
Hyde Park, MA 02136
617-361-1811
Sullivans Pharmacy
Will deliver prescriptions for pickup at Health Services for a nominal fee
1 Corinth St
Roslindale, MA 02131
(617) 323-6544
Campus Shuttles go to:
CVS
Cobbs Corner
95 Washington Street
Canton, MA
781-828-5125
Near Legacy Place
947 Providence Highway
Dedham, MA 02026
781-320-8301
Brooks
Cobbs Corner
4 Washington Street
Canton, MA
781-821-0515
Walgreens
Near Legacy Place
983 Providence Highway
Dedham, MA 02026
781-251-0565
COSTCO
Near Legacy Place
400 Commercial Circle
Dedham MA 02026
(781) 251-9975
New State Regulations-Meningitis
As of May 2007, ALL NEWLY ENROLLED FULL-TIME RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS MUST SHOW PROOF OF IMMUNIZATION OF MENINGITIS VACCINATION OR WAIVER.
Meningococcal Info and Waiver (PDF)
Undergraduate students must also have:
Discount Pharmacy Programs and Mail Order Services
Prescription Medications by Mail, Alternative to monthly pharmacy refills
Most health plans include a mail service benefit. When you use this benefit, you can get a 3 month supply of your medication with each refill, free delivery, and usually reduced cost. This saves you time and money, and you don’t have to go to the pharmacy monthly. After your initial enrollment, future prescription refills can be ordered by phone and in most cases online. If you take medications on a long-term basis for conditions such as asthma, diabetes, birth control, or want to use this benefit, please consult with your health insurer's member service's department to find out if you have this coverage. This phone number is usually on your membership card. You will need to complete the enrollment forms and include a 3 month prescription from your healthcare provider. Unfortunately if you only have the school insurance, there is no prescription drug benefit.
If you are on monthly prescription medications and have the student health insurance through Chickering or another insurance that does not cover prescription medications, you might be eligible for one of these programs.
Walmart and Target $4 Generic Drug Program
Wal-Mart and Target offer over 300 different generics available for $4 per prescription fill or refill (up to a 30-day supply). The program is available in most states at all Wal-Mart, Target, Sam's Club and Neighborhood Market pharmacies. For a complete list of eligible drugs, go to the Walmartor Target websites.
Pharmacy Reward Discount Card
This is a free card that qualifies you for a discount on most prescription medications when presented to a participating pharmacy. To obtain your card and a list of pharmacies, go to http://www.pharmacyreward.com/needymeds/.
RX Outreach
A 90 day supply of certain medications listed on their website is available for a $20 or $30 administration fee. Eligibility is based on household income and size. For applications, eligibility and more information, go to http://www.rxoutreach.com/.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Is the largest private-sector effort to connect low-income, uninsured or underinsured patients to prescription assistance programs, many of which provide medicines for free or nearly free. It is a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. Go to https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php to see if you are eligible for one of their programs.
Proper Disposal of Needles and Syringes-New State Regulations
If you're one of the many people in Massachusetts who use syringes to manage your health care at school or home, here's what you need to know about the safe use and disposal of needles, syringes and lancets (sharps).
Be Smart. Use a Sharps Container.
A sharps container is a single-use container that is filled with used medical needles and then disposed of safely. These can be obtained through Health Services. Please come by and pick one up.
Be Aware.
Needles, syringes and sharps containers may not be thrown in household trash or recycling bins. These items must be disposed of properly. You may drop off your sharps containers at Health Services for proper disposal.
State Sanitary Code: (M.G.L. Chapter 111, Section 127A)
Improper disposal of infectious or physically dangerous medical or biological waste may result in penalties of up to $25,000 or two years in a corrections facility.
Possession of Hypodermic Syringes and Needles in the (M.G.L. Chapter 94C, Sections 27, 27A)
Disposal of syringes must be done safely and responsibly.
Pandemic Flu
Flu Terms Defined
Seasonal (or common) flu is a very contagious, respiratory illness that can be transmitted from person to person by coughing and sneezing. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.
Avian (or bird) flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them. It can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available.
Pandemic flu occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity, and for which there is no vaccine. The disease spreads easily from person-to-person, causes serious illness, and can sweep across the country and around the world in a very short time
Resources for more information
How to Protect Yourself Against The Flu
Handwashing
Cough Etiquette
Flu Symptoms
Self Treatment
Travel Information
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Flu Website
CDC Flu Website
Emergency Supply List
Emergency Contraception, the Morning after Pill
The emergency contraception (EC) pill, Plan B®, is now available in pharmacies without a prescription to women and men ages 18 and older. You will need to go to the pharmacy counter and show ID to confirm your age in order to buy it. Women under 18 can still get Plan B with a prescription.
Gardasil (the HPV Vaccine) availability
Gardasil is the recently approved vaccine to help guard against diseases that are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) Types 6, 11, 16, and 18. HPV Types 16 and 18 cause 70% of cervical cancer cases and HPV Types 6 and 11 cause 90% of genital wart cases. Full immunization requires three injections over six months.
Health Services has a limited supply of Gardasil available through the Massachusetts Vaccines for Children Program. This will be supplied free to females 18 years of age or younger. Please call Health Services at 617-333-2182 to see if you qualify and to make an appointment. Parent consent will be required for minors (students under the age of 18).
Prescriptions can be written for those who do not qualify for the free program. You should check with your health insurer first to make sure they will cover it. You must fill the prescription, keep the medicine refrigerated, and bring it to Health Services to be administered. Appointments are necessary to obtain the prescription and for administration by calling 617-333-2182.
Annual Flu Shot Clinic 2010
Flu Clinics have been scheduled for September 30, 2010 from 10 am - 3 pm and October 6, 2010 from 11 am - 3 pm in the Student Center. There will be a $25 charge that may be covered by your health insurance. Check back to this site for further information once the fall semester starts.
Need to locate a flu clinic? Call Mass DPH at 1-866-627-7968 or click here
Meningitis Vaccine Available
We have received this vaccine from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to administer to all college freshmen living in dormitories and anyone 18 years of age or younger. Free vaccination is available by appointment X2182.
Immunization or Health Record Request
Health Services keeps Health Records for 10 years after graduation or withdrawal. You may request any part of this record including a copy of your immunizations by completing a Medical Record Request/Release Authorization (PDF) and faxing or mailing it to the address on the top of the form.