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Steven Noble
Editor, Internal Publications
p. 403.440.5692
e-mail: snoble@mtroyal.ca

Fred Cheney
Media Relations Officer
p. 403.440.5195
e-mail: fcheney@mtroyal.ca

 

On Friday, November 27, the Integrative Health Institute hosted a presentation and panel discussion entitled H1N1 Pandemic Flu: The True Story in the Roderick Mah Centre for Continuous Learning.

Over 200 Mount Royal students, faculty and staff attended the presentation including a large number of Nursing and Science students (above) to learn more about the science behind, and administration of the H1N1 vaccine.

The presenter was Amit Suri, MD, MBA, the Medical Liaison for GlaxoSmithKline, which is one of Canada’s leading research-based pharmaceutical companies, and creator of the H1N1 vaccine.

The expert panel included Maureen Best, assistant professor in the School of Nursing, Richard Musto, MD, Medical Health Officer with Alberta Health Services, and Jane O’Connor, Lead for the Mount Royal University Public Health Response Team.

The presentation was attended by over 200 Mount Royal students, faculty, staff and advisory board members.

Nursing and Science students were in high attendance to learn more about the science behind, and administration of the vaccine.

Suri explained that the H1N1 pandemic is the first one in over forty years in Canada. He defined a pandemic flu as one that is spread around the world.

Throughout his talk he also touched on the media’s role in the pandemic communication, noting the high level of fear index, supply and demand issues, and "everyone being an expert" all playing a large role in the evolution H1N1 story.

Suri noted the challenges with the vaccine development include prevention strategy, complex environment and multiple players being involved.

The discussion was followed by a question and answer period moderated by Marc Chikinda, dean, Faculty of Communication Studies. This allowed the audience to ask questions based on their learning and experience.

Musto was questioned about Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) process for the mass vaccination, and felt "AHS was as well prepared as we could be."

Although they are very well practiced with mass vaccinations, they did not anticipate the right number of people, and decided they would not turn anyone away. This led to long wait times for Albertans.

While AHS experienced some challenges, Mount Royal University was well prepared. Jane O’Connor spoke of Mount Royal’s role in prevention and business continuity.

Such tactics include information and reporting mechanisms both from management and student voluntary registration online.

3.5% of students and staff were absent during the peak time of H1N1 and those numbers are steadily declining.

Currently 1.5% of employees and 2.5% of students are absent with self reports of H1N1.

The EnCana Wellness Centre will be holding a small vaccination clinic this week for 2,000 Mount Royal students, staff and faculty.

— Andrea Katz, Dec. 3, 2009