Dear P-3 student,

I am sure that all of you have heard the discussion on the radio and television and read in the newspapers all of the developments and concerns over the flu and the H1N1 virus ("swine flu). As a result of these concerns new requirements have been mandated for health care professionals and, of course, students training to be health care professionals. Each of you is required to obtain the flu vaccine, unless your personal New York-based physician indicates that the vaccine is medically contraindicated for you. If you do not receive the vaccine you will not be permitted into your practice sites.

You may obtain a vaccine from your private physician, a clinic of some sort (e.g. a Walgreens or CVS) or an office of the New York Department of Health. Also, the campus is sponsoring a flu vaccine clinic. The flu vaccination will be available at Brooklyn Hospital Center (BHC) on Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 12-4pm and Thursday, Sept. 24 from 4-8 pm. The BHC office is located in the Maynard Building, 240 Willoughby Street (First Floor), Brooklyn, New York 11201.

You must bring you medical insurance cards and required co-pays for processing. If you have the type of insurance requiring you to have a “primary care provider” (PCP) you will be asked to switch your provider so the hospital can bill your insurance company. BE AWARE that once you leave or change your PCP, even for one day, there is no guarantee you will be able to switch back to that provider. You can contact your insurance carrier for further details. Those without insurance or those with insurance and not willing to change his/her PCP there is a $25 fee for the vaccine. 

Wherever you go, you must receive proof of vaccination, give the original AND one  copy to Ms. Durrani or Ms. Salcedo in the Office of Experiential Education AND take a copy with you to all of your sites for the entire semester(suggestion : make several copies in case it needs to stay at the site or gets lost). ALL DOCUMENTATION REGARDING PROOF OF VACCINATION MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 5PM on MONDAY October 5, 2009. If proof of documentation is not received by this deadline you will not be permitted to continue your pharmacy practice experience.

You may use the form (found on the EMS website) to document the vaccination, but you are not required to use it -- your health care professional may use his/her own form. But, whichever form you use, the State requires the information found on the form as a minimum.

So, to reiterate, you must get the flu vaccine NOW (unless you can prove that it is medically contraindicated). Be sure to submit your documentation (the original and one copy) to the Office of Experiential Education by October 5th; retain a copy for yourself in the event it is needed by your practice site(s) over the course of the semester.

By the way, as soon as the State announces the H1N1 requirements, we will let you know about this as well. We appreciate your cooperation with the tight deadline but everyone (including the College)is struggling with the same issue and the same degree of notice.

Dean Cicero
Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Affairs