Flulapalooza is only a couple of weeks away and the deadline to submit an exemption request from receiving the influenza vaccine is quickly approaching.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s (VUMC) annual influenza vaccination event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in a large tent erected between Light Hall and the Veteran’s Administration (VA) Hospital.
VUMC policy requires annual influenza vaccination or an exemption to be submitted for all faculty and staff.
Exemptions may be for religious or personal/philosophical beliefs or for medical contraindications. Those who wish to be exempted from receiving the flu vaccine must submit an exemption request by Oct. 1. A link to the exemption request is on the Occupational Health Clinic (OHC) website.
Faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to carefully review the consequences for non-compliance that are outlined in the updated VUMC Immunization Policy. VUMC faculty or staff members who remain non-compliant with the policy requirements after Dec. 1 may no longer be allowed to perform their normal responsibilities and could face disciplinary action.
Last year, 14,584 people received free flu shots during Flulapalooza, a 12-hour event, which helps to ensure that Vanderbilt protects its faculty, staff, volunteers, students, and thereby its patients, from the flu. The event is not open to family members.
To help the event run smoothly, volunteers for nonclinical roles to help with patient flow are still needed. All employees can participate as volunteers and should receive prior approval from their supervisor before volunteering for shifts, which are for either two or three hours.
Supervisors and managers should be aware that the volunteer time approved for the event will be compensated from the employee’s department and not through the Flulapalooza event.
Volunteers can register online here.
To increase awareness and receive additional input from the VUMC and School of Medicine communities about Strategic Direction, the strategy workgroup participants are hosting an engagement event at Flulapalooza. After receiving a flu shot, VUMC faculty and staff are invited to visit the VUMCompass tent to learn more about the Strategic Direction process, ask questions and submit feedback.
The tent will be located directly across from the exit of the Flulapalooza tent, near the entrance of Light Hall’s South Lobby. Those unable to attend Flulapalooza can submit feedback by visiting the online Suggestion Box at https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/oor/vumc-strategic-direction/suggestion-box. They can also find additional information here.
