2012–2013 Influenza Vaccine Available Oct. 1
As an academic medical center, UTMB’s mission is to improve health in Texas and beyond. One simple yet important way we can help fulfill that mission is to protect our employees, retirees and volunteers from the threat of influenza by offering free flu shots. On behalf of executive leadership, I encourage all members of the UTMB community to take advantage of the 2012-2013 Flu Free vaccine program.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated each year, unless prohibited for medical reasons. Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk for flu-related complications, including young children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease.
All employees, retirees and volunteers are encouraged to get vaccinated. Anyone who provides direct patient care, enters patient rooms or comes within six feet of patients in the course of their duties must get a flu shot or formally decline it by signing this
statement. Health care workers who do not receive the flu vaccine may be reassigned to other duties or asked to wear a mask while providing patient care for the duration of the flu season.
Flu shots will be available in Galveston and mainland locations starting Monday, Oct. 1. Refer to the Employee Health web site for a complete list of vaccination locations and more information about the Flu Free vaccine campaign. We greatly appreciate our partner UT Select, a PPO plan administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, for helping us make vaccines available to the UTMB community this year.
Thank you for your help in keeping yourself, your co-workers and your community safe by getting vaccinated.
Dr. David L. Callender
President