Health & Wellness

Welcome to the Health and Wellness web site.

This site is intended to serve as a health and wellness resource for the Facilities and Operations community on campus. You will find useful information and motivation here to help you lead a healthier life as a result this effort.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Health and Wellness program is to promote and preserve the health and well-being of our employees through a comprehensive wellness program.

The Health & Wellness office is in the Plant Hoover Building

The Health & Wellness office is located in the Hoover Building 'B' room number 1306A (right next to the Cabinet Shop). This location allows greater contact with F&O units in general and Plant Operations in particular.

Flu Season is approaching

With flu season rapidly approaching in many parts of the world, prevention is your best defense against the fever, chills and cough that the virus can bring on. Try the following:

• Wash your hands, especially when you're out in public places, with hot water and soap. When you travel (even from one meeting to another), it’s a good idea to carry alcohol towelettes or purell (hand sanitizer) with you.
  
  
• Get a flu shot. This is especially important for those over 65 years old, as well as anyone with a weakened immune or respiratory system, nursing home residents, and health care workers who have regular contact with patients. Pregnant women whose last two trimesters fall during flu season (generally November to April) might consider getting the shot as well.
  
  
• Get daily vitamins and antioxidants. Berries, tea and dark chocolate all provide natural antioxidants and consider taking a multiple vitamin with minerals.
  
  
• Keep up on fluids. Staying hydrated keeps nasal passages moist, providing better natural defenses against viruses.
  
  
• Exercise. You may not think of physical activity as medicine, but in fact, when taken daily, it is powerful medicine. Exercise can help boost your immune system.
  
  
• Get plenty of sleep. The average adult needs at least 7 - 8 hours of sleep.
  
  
• Reduce your stress levels. Some stress is good, but know when to relax. Too much stress impairs the immune system.

Source: Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D.

Currently, we are experiencing a seasonal influenza vaccine delay at the University of Michigan Health System, State, and National level. This is in part because of the demand (pharmaceutical companies) to produce millions of doses of the H1N1 vaccines, and also due to seasonal vaccine deliveries being sent in August with people being vaccinated as early as September. Because of these issues there is a shortage of vaccine. The manufacturers are producing more vaccines, however, one of the strains in the vaccine takes longer to grow. This is hindering prompt dissemination of vaccines and preventing the manufacturers from filling orders to meet the demand.

Seasonal flu vaccine has been in short supply since September. The primary issue appears to be that the manufacturers have shifted their activity to the H1N1 vaccine. The latest word we have is that the seasonal vaccine may not be available for a few more weeks. As a result, the shot clinics scheduled within B&F have been postponed until our provider receives a supply to continue the clinics. The good news is that the seasonal flu peak period is normally after the holidays and into the spring.

H1N1 vaccine is slowly becoming available, but the supply is still restricted. As of late October the county was at approximately 30% of the expected supply level. As a result, it is available only for the high risk categories: health care and emergency personnel (including DPS), pregnant women, caregivers for children under 6 months, children between 6 months and 4 years, and children between 4 and 18 years with underlying health issues. As the vaccine becomes available, information will be passed along regarding mass vaccination clinics sponsored by the county health department. Once the supply is fully up to speed there is not expected to be a shortage and it will be available to all. It is likely that the distribution for the H1N1 vaccine, once it becomes widely available, will be through your normal health care provider. There are no current plans for mass vaccination clinics on campus outside of the student population.

All of our remaining clinics will be postponed until the pharmaceutical company notifies us that the flu vaccine has arrived.

***Please be advised that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that it is acceptable and recommended to get vaccinated into December, January, and beyond. This is because the timing and duration of influenza seasons vary. Influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, but most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later. About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.

If in the interim you have concerns or questions regarding the delay in the seasonal influenza vaccine please contact Brad Gebauer (MHealthy Corporate Wellness Services) and/or Greg Lambert at (734) 647-4796 / Greg Lambert (get address) (38.107.191.117).

Plant Operations’ Supervisors and Managers, please see work order and work code listed below for your staff:
Work Order = UMEDICAL 2010
Phase = SHOP NUMBER
Work Code = SHOT

Please feel free to contact me at 647-4796 or Greg Lambert (get address) (38.107.191.117) if you have additional concerns or questions pertinent to our on-site Influenza Vaccination clinics.

To your good health!
Yours in fitness,
Greg

Stay tuned for more updates on health and wellness!