Our institution has a “Mandatory Response” approach to influenza vaccination of staff and volunteers. Each person has to login to their employee health record and either accept the vaccine (which is then administered in employee health), indicate that they have received it elsewhere (e.g. local pharmacy or PCP office), or decline the vaccination. If they opt to decline the influenza vaccination, they are prompted to enter a reason. We do have a process for documenting religious and medical exemptions to vaccinations.

We expect a 100% response rate and the actual influenza vaccination rates have been in the 85-89% range year to year. We did, however, see a slight drop in influenza vaccination rate among employees and volunteers last year – possibly due to post-pandemic “vaccine fatigue”.

Pat

Patrick Hartley MB BCh BAO MPH

University Employee Health Clinic

University of Iowa Health Care

From: MCOH-EH <mcoh-eh-bounces+patrick-hartley=uiowa.edu@mylist.net> On Behalf Of Charles Hackett
Sent: Wednesday, September 4, 2024 5:55 AM
To: MCOH/EH <mcoh-eh@mylist.net>
Subject: [External] [MCOH-EH] Flu Shots

Good morning.

Our health system had historically allowed employees to opt out of receiving the flu shot and mask.

In 2022 they decided that any new employee would need to be vaccinated against the flu unless there was a medical exemption.

They allowed the employees that were hired prior to 2022 to continue to be able to opt out.

Our head of HR would like to allow employees to opt out and not have it mandated.

EOHS is pushing back with data and enthusiasm.

What is your policy for the flu shot?

Is it mandated for all employees?

Is it mandated for patient facing employees?

Thanks

Charlie

Charles D Hackett, MD, MPH

Chief Community and Family Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital

Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, Brown University