New Deadline to Comply with JHM Mandatory Flu Vaccination Policy Is Nov. 16

Dear Colleagues,

For the 2018–19 flu season, Johns Hopkins Medicine faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows, medical residents and medical students who provide patient care, work in a hospital building or whose primary work location is in a patient or clinical care area must receive a flu vaccination by Friday, Nov. 16.

The compliance deadline is now the third Friday in November, ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. The goal is to maximize the number of people vaccinated and their immunity before the flu season begins and during the peak months of flu activity, which typically span from November to March. You can view a video Q&A featuring our Johns Hopkins experts to learn more about the flu.

The deadline to request an exception from the flu vaccination for medical or religious reasons is still on the first Tuesday in November. If you have a valid medical or religious reason not to get a flu shot you must complete and submit the appropriate form by Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Free vaccinations will be offered at your organization. You can also receive a flu shot at selected Walgreens locations. For other details about the Johns Hopkins Medicine 2018–19 flu vaccination program, visit the Health, Safety and Environment website at hopkinsmedicine.org/mandatory_flu_vaccination/index.html.

Thank you for helping us keep our patients, visitors, colleagues and family members safe from the flu.

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