Ann Arbor, MI — October 1, 2009 — U-M School of Dentistry clinical faculty members yesterday teamed up with colleagues from the School of Public Health, the School of Nursing, and the University Health Service to prepare for “the big one” – a campus-wide immunization that will take place once the H1N1 vaccine becomes available later in the fall.

“We are joining forces with the other health science schools on campus in this pre-test to get an idea of what it will take to administer the H1N1 vaccine on a much wider scale to students, faculty, and staff across the U-M campus,” said Dennis Lopatin, senior associate dean who also manages the School’s All Hazards Planning Group which is responsible for preparing for an array of potential hazards, including the flu. “This is another example of how dentistry can support health care needs in non-traditional ways when systems are taxed during critical public health events,” he added.

About 500 persons received a seasonal vaccine yesterday, including third-year dental student Elizabeth Caplis. “I get a flu shot every year, it’s a habit for me,” she said, “and this year is no exception.”

School of Dentistry faculty members who volunteered included Drs. Peter Yaman, Christine Sedgley, Kitrina Cordell, Paul Edwards, Nikki Sweier, and Jimmy Boynton.

The University’s chief health officer, Dr. Robert Winfield, has more information about how the flu is affecting the U-M campus. http://www.ur.umich.edu/update/archives/091001/flu

Contact: Sharon Grayden, Communications Director (734) 615-2600, dentistry.communications@umich.edu, or Jerry Mastey, Editor, School of Dentistry (734) 615-1971, jmastey@umich.edu.