Flu Vaccination Campaign Begins Oct. 5

Dear Colleagues,

We appreciate your continued commitment to the health and safety of our patients, visitors, colleagues and family members as we begin the fourth year of Johns Hopkins Medicine's mandatory influenza policy. As you know, the flu strikes thousands each year, putting health care workers and people with weakened immune systems at risk for illness, hospitalization and even death. An annual vaccination is the best protection against getting the flu.

Starting Monday, Oct. 5, faculty, staff, postdocs, medical residents and students of The Johns Hopkins Hospital, The Johns Hopkins Health System Corporation and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine will be able to get their annual flu shot for the 2015–2016 season at various locations, including on the East Baltimore medical campus. Just show your Johns Hopkins badge ID and be sure to wear clothing that allows your upper arm to be exposed for vaccination. The color of this year's badge clip, which must be worn to show you've been vaccinated, is teal.

The policy requires vaccination before Tuesday, Dec. 1, of all personnel who provide patient care or whose primary work location is in a patient or clinical care area. If you have a valid medical or religious reason not to get a flu shot this year, you must request and be approved for an exception by Tuesday, Nov. 3. As a system, we have been successful in achieving near 100 percent compliance rates for those covered by the policy.     

Walgreens Partnership
This year, for your convenience, Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System Corporation and school of medicine personnel have the option to get the flu vaccine at more than 35 designated Walgreens pharmacies during their business hours at no charge. Just show your Johns Hopkins ID badge, complete the consent form, get your vaccination and pick up your teal badge clip. The participating Walgreens locations will submit the documentation to Occupational Health Services. The vaccine at Walgreens is not being offered to volunteers, students or employees' spouses or same-sex partners.

Documentation
If you receive your vaccination at one of our Occupational Health Services-administered sites or a designated Walgreens location, be sure you 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 Physicians office, you or someone on your behalf must submit proof of immunization online to Occupational Health Services. 

Raffle for Ravens Tickets, Beats by Dr. Dre Headphones
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 Oct. 18 will have their names entered into a raffle for two Ravens tickets for their Dec. 20 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Get your vaccine before Nov. 13 and be entered into a raffle for Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. 
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 see your department's flu coordinator if you have questions.  
Thank you.

Redonda G. Miller, M.D., M.B.A.
Associate Professor of Medicine
Vice President for Medical Affairs
The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Lisa L. Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H.
Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Senior Director of Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Prevention
The Johns Hopkins Health System