Officials at the McGill campus clinic say they have identified at least one case of the flu each day over the past week and a half. (CBC) McGill University officials say at least 18 students in residence have reported flu-like symptoms most likely related to H1N1 infections, and school administrators are frustrated public health officials won't hold a clinic on campus.

The government has “categorically” rejected the Montreal school’s offer to hold clinics onsite, said Dr. Pierre-Paul Tellier, the university's director of student health services.

“That would probably lead to much better compliance because if you look at the timing, the students' age groups are going to be expected to be vaccinated around December which is when they are going to be starting their final exams.”

Healthy adults won’t receive the vaccine until after Dec. 7, when students can visit a special off-campus vaccination clinic.

“I don’t expect many of our students will show up at the vaccine clinics, wait for an hour at least … and ... try to get vaccinated when they have to be studying for our exams.”

Clinic workers still waiting

Tellier said he hasn’t even been advised when the staff at the campus health clinic will get vaccinated.

“I wish I knew. …We were told it would be… yesterday, but we’re still waiting to find out,” Tellier said.

So far, at least 18 students in the school’s residences, which are housing about 3,000, have reported flu-like symptoms most likely related to the swine flu, Tellier said.

About 99 per cent of flu cases in Montreal are caused by the H1N1 virus, "so therefore if a student has a flu-like illness, they have H1N1," Tellier said.

Student John Tityk wore a surgical mask while waiting to see a nurse at the campus clinic Tuesday.

The Solin Hall resident said he has a fever and a bad cough.

"I just locked myself in my room all weekend," Tityk said.

"I'm just hoping I can write my midterms next week."

McGill's director of student health services, Dr. Pierre-Paul Tellier said the government is refusing to set up a vaccination clinic on-campus. (CBC) The university has already instituted measures to help prevent the spread of the potent virus, such as installing hand sanitizers in campus residences and handing out free surgical masks.

"We have the masks to give to the ones who are sick, so that they don't spread it, or have less chance of spreading it," said Michael Porritt, head of Student Housing Services.

The school is asking students in residence who are ill to remain in their rooms for eight days and are being provided with meals, Tellier said.

Should the situation worsen, the school is prepared to cope, he said.

“We’ve been working since June on a variety of plans, and we’ve unrolled the plans or directives as we get an indication that things are ramping up or becoming more prevalent.”

Tellier said the school’s campus clinic is also prepared to cancel all non-flu- related appointments to focus on the problem should it become necessary.