It’s Time to Get a Flu Shot!

The influenza season is here again! A fundamental component of our patient-focused culture at UHealth and the Miller School of Medicine is preventing illness in every way possible. Getting the flu shot is an excellent way to protect our patients, our families, and ourselves.

Dean Henri Ford receives his flu shot from Elena Novo, center, and Noelia Estevez De Rosario.

That is why UHealth and the Miller School have an official influenza vaccination policy that requires all designated health care workers to be vaccinated. It includes everyone in our hospitals and community-based clinics, as well as those in roles (clinical or non-clinical) who might have any type of patient contact. More specific requirements by each facility can be found at the flu vaccine website.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. Therefore, whether you are required to be vaccinated or not as part of your job duties, we encourage you to get vaccinated to protect yourself as well as others.

The vaccine is free and is widely available at these sites on the UM campuses. Employees and their dependents on the UM/Aetna medical plan can get a flu shot at Walgreens at no cost with their insurance card.

The following Benefits Fairs will also have the vaccine available:

1. Coral Gables Campus – Shalala Student Center, Grand Ballroom
   • 1330 Miller Drive, Coral Gables
     • Monday, October 14, 2019 – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
2. Rosenstiel Marine Campus (RSMAS) at the Breezeway
   • 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne
     • Tuesday, October 15, 2019 – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
3. Miller School of Medicine – Schoninger Research Quadrangle (two days)
   • 1450 NW 10th Avenue, Miami
     • Wednesday, October 16, 2019 – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
     • Thursday, October 17, 2019 – 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.      

 Please be sure to wear a short sleeve shirt/blouse, as the vaccine is given in the upper arm.

If you receive your flu vaccine from other facilities or health care providers, such as Walgreens, the VA hospital, JMH, a personal UM health care provider, CVS, etc., please be sure to ask your facility to include location, manufacturer, lot number, provider, and expiration date with the documentation provided. You will need to upload your flu vaccine documentation here by Friday, December 6, 2019 in order to be in compliance.

Walgreens will be administering the flu shots this year at the Benefits Fairs in October. Walgreens is considered an “external site,” so if you receive your flu shot at the Benefits Fair, please upload your flu vaccine documentation here by Friday, December 6, 2019.

Information for those requesting Medical or Religious exemptions is available at the flu vaccine website. If you received a “permanent” medical exemption, you do not have to reapply; those who received a “temporary” medical exemption or a religious exemption last year are required to reapply this year.

The deadline to apply for either a Medical or Religious  exemption is Monday, October 14, 2019.

The deadline for getting your flu shot is Friday, December 6, 2019.

Tags: flu vaccine, influenza season