Important Information Regarding the 2016-2017 JHM Influenza Vaccination Policy

Dear Colleagues,

It is heartening that so many of you have made a commitment to get a flu vaccination each year for the health and safety of our patients, visitors, colleagues and family members—and for your own. After all, each of us is at risk for flu infection, and many in our community, including those with weakened immune systems, are at high risk for severe complications of the flu. As a health system, we have been successful in achieving near 100 percent flu vaccination compliance rates for those covered by the Johns Hopkins Medicine Influenza Vaccination Policy. Please familiarize yourself with the details of this season's program to help us continue that achievement and our commitment to influenza prevention.

Deadlines

All personnel who provide patient care or whose primary work location is in a patient or clinical care area must be vaccinated before Tuesday, Dec. 6. If you have a valid medical or religious reason not to get a flu shot this year, you must request an exception by completing the appropriate form and receiving approval by Tuesday, Nov. 1. Those who receive an exception must wear a mask when they are within six feet of a patient during the influenza season.

Vaccination Clinics

Starting Monday, Oct. 3, faculty, staff, postdocs, medical residents and medical students of The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins Health System Corporation and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine will be able to get a flu shot for the 2016–2017 season at various locations on the East Baltimore medical campus, including the Phipps Houck Lobby, Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center (JHOC) and Blalock. Some evening and weekend hours are included for your convenience. Please bring your Johns Hopkins ID badge and wear clothing that allows your upper arm to be accessible. After you complete the necessary paperwork and get your vaccination, you will receive a yellow badge clip to indicate that you have been vaccinated.

Occupational Health Services will also offer Tdap (tetanus, diptheria, pertussis) vaccinations free of charge at Phipps Houck Lobby and JHOC during the same dates and times of the flu vaccination clinics. The vaccine can also be obtained at Occupational Health Services sites Monday through Friday at 98 N. Broadway, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at Blalock 144, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tdap has been a requirement since 2010 for clinical personnel of The Johns Hopkins Hospital and The Johns Hopkins University.

Reminder About FluMist

FluMist, the live-virus nasal spray vaccine, will not be offered this year based on a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory. Therefore, we will not accept FluMist as evidence that you have complied with the Johns Hopkins Medicine influenza vaccination policy.

Alternate Vaccination Locations

As an additional service, we are offering Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System Corporation and school of medicine personnel the option to get the flu vaccine free of charge at more than 35 designated Walgreens pharmacies during their business hours, which may include weekends and evenings. Just show your Johns Hopkins ID badge, complete the consent form, and get your vaccination and yellow badge clip. Staff at the participating Walgreens locations will submit documentation of your vaccination to Occupational Health Services. The vaccination at Walgreens locations is not currently offered to volunteers, students or employees' spouses or same-sex partners.

Documentation

If you receive your flu vaccination at one of our Occupational Health Services-administered sites or at a designated Walgreens location, you will receive an email within 48 hours confirming your vaccination. If you go elsewhere, such as a Walgreens pharmacy that is not listed, another retailer or your doctors' office, even if it is a Johns Hopkins Community Physician's office, you or someone on your behalf must submit proof of immunization online to Occupational Health Services. If you do not receive the email confirming your vaccination, contact hseinfo@jhmi.edu.

Raffle for Apple Watch

As an incentive to get your vaccination early, Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System Corporation and school of medicine personnel who get their vaccine and submit documentation before Sunday, Oct. 23, will have their names entered into a raffle for an Apple Watch.

Your continued commitment to the health and safety of our patients, visitors, colleagues and family members by getting a flu shot is very much appreciated.

You can find the dates, locations and times you can get a flu shot and all the other details about the flu vaccination program at hopkinsmedicine.org/hse/occupational_health/flu_campaign.html. Please contact your department's flu coordinator if you have questions.

Thank you,

Lisa L. Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H.
Senior Director of Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Prevention
Johns Hopkins Health System
Chair, Johns Hopkins Medicine Vaccination and Influenza Prevention Steering Committee