Be a flu-perhero! Protect patients, families and each other this flu season

At Michigan Medicine, not all heroes wear capes — but they do take all the measures they can to keep patients, families and colleagues safe.

During flu season, employees have a chance to be a superhero — or flu-perhero — by getting their annual influenza vaccination. Doing so helps prevent the spread of disease and protects those who mean the most to you.

What you need to know this flu season

Under the organization’s influenza vaccination policy, faculty, staff, students and volunteers must receive their annual vaccine by Dec. 1, 2019 or receive an approved exemption or declination. Those with an approved exemption or declination will be required to wear a mask in patient care areas for the entire flu season.

Members of AFSCME, BMETs of the Skilled Trades Union, IUOE, and UMPNC unions should refer to their union contracts and/or memoranda of understanding pertaining to flu vaccinations for additional information that applies to each of the respective unions.

There are many opportunities to get your flu shot at Michigan Medicine, including free flu clinics across the medical campus. Vaccines are also available at Occupational Health Services in the Med Inn Building or from clinical unit flu liaisons. Make sure to have your ID badge when you arrive and you’ll receive a sticker for your ID badge after getting the shot.

If you receive your flu shot at your doctor’s office, pharmacy or any other location outside of the OHS flu clinics, make sure to get documentation on paper with your name on it. Give this to your department’s compliance contact so they can record it and give you a sticker for your ID badge.

If you have a religious belief or medical condition that prevents you from receiving the flu vaccine, you may submit an exemption form for review by Nov. 1, 2019.

Later this year, the Infection Prevention and Epidemiology team will notify everyone when flu season begins, which will alert those who received an exemption or declination to start wearing a mask whenever in patient care areas. 

More information about this year’s flu prevention program, including Frequently Asked Questions, is available on the organization’s flu website.

On behalf of everyone at Michigan Medicine, thank you for flying high and being a flu-perhero who protects the community from the spread of the flu!