With flu season’s arrival, it’s vital for each of us to reduce our risk of catching the flu.
“Washing your hands and covering a cough are your sword and shield in preventing spread of viral illnesses like the flu. But the flu vaccine is your suit of armor against the flu!” said Ana Nobis, MD, MPH, FACOEM, medical director of the Occupational Health Clinic. “While you can still get the flu despite being vaccinated, you are much less likely to get it, and getting the vaccine limits possible complications from the flu. Flu is not something to sneeze (or cough) at—the risks include serious illness, hospitalization, and even death.”
Reconnect at Flulapalooza: Free event parking for remote workers
With many faculty and staff working from home or on a hybrid schedule, we’ve made it easy for everyone to join the event on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
Flulapalooza starts at 6 a.m. and lasts until 6 p.m., which gives both onsite and offsite employees plenty of time to come by and get their flu shot. Since the event will be held between Light Hall & the VA Hospital, VUMC has arranged free event parking for all remote workers in the 25th Avenue Staff Garage. Parking stickers are not required to attend Flulapalooza. Be sure to use the 24th Avenue garage entrance, and enter the event through Light Hall, North Lobby.
Flulapalooza is a great opportunity to receive your free flu shot, reconnect with coworkers in-person, and visit campus. Flu vaccination is not required for employees who are designated as remote in Work Day, but vaccination is strongly encouraged.
Here are Flulapalooza details:
- Date/Time: Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Location: The tent between Light Hall and the VA Hospital on the Nashville VUMC campus. Enter the event through the North Lobby of Light Hall.
- Who: VUMC faculty and staff are invited.
- Bring your Vanderbilt ID and wear short sleeves.
- Offsite and/or remote employees, please park in the 25th Avenue Garage and enter through the 24th Avenue entrance. You will not need a parking sticker if you are attending the event.
“Because flu viruses change from year to year, it’s important to get a flu shot annually,” Nobis said. “The flu vaccine is updated to provide the best defense against the strains most likely to be prevalent each year. Our team at the Occupational Health Clinic is excited to help everyone stay healthy and safe this year with our 12th annual Flulapalooza event.”
Flu vaccines can take up to two weeks after being administered to provide full protection, so it is recommended to get your flu vaccination by the end of October to ensure the greatest protection throughout the entire flu season. However, even after October it is still beneficial to get your flu vaccine.
For VUMC faculty and staff, the deadline for flu vaccination or approved flu exemption is Dec. 1. (Flu exemptions granted in prior years will carry over; a new exemption request is not needed). For more information on the deadline, view the Immunizaion Policy. For more information about the flu, flu vaccines, and Flulapalooza, visit the OHC Flu Program for Employees site.
Flu vaccines at VUMC regional hospitals
To receive a flu vaccine at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital (VWCH), Vanderbilt Bedford County Hospital (VBCH), and Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital (VTHH), you can visit a Fight the Flu event on the following dates:
Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital (VWCH): Oct. 2, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Vanderbilt Bedford County Hospital (VBCH): Sept. 27, 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital (VTHH): Oct. 2, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
You may also reach out to your respective Occupational Health resource at your location.
Volunteer information
Volunteer opportunities are available for clinical and non-clinical staff as vaccinators, vaccinator helpers, documenters, and assistance with patient flow. To register and learn more details about volunteering, visit the Flulapalooza Event Sign-up website for full details.
All employees can volunteer but must receive prior approval from their supervisor before registering. Shifts last two hours, and volunteers can select time slots that may work best for their schedules. 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.
