Staff, Students, Residents, Volunteers Need to Report Flu Vaccine Status
UConn Health is administering free flu shots to staff, students, residents and volunteers. In order to be in compliance with Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidelines, UConn Health must account for everyone's flu shot status (received or declined) and report the non-identifiable data every flu season. Those who decline the flu shot or who receive it somewhere else still must report to Employee Health Services to ensure the institution's compliance. (Janine Gelineau/UConn Health)
Although strongly recommended, especially for those who have contact with patients, it’s not required. But what is required is the reporting of influenza vaccine statistics for UConn Health staff, students, residents and volunteers in order for to the institution be in compliance with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare.
“It is now mandatory to report your flu vaccination status here at UConn Health,” says Cheryl Marenick, the nurse who oversees the Employee Health Services flu vaccine program. “We need everyone’s cooperation. Your answer does not follow you and can’t be held against you.”
The information is not tied to any individual names or health records, is maintained in a password-protected database, and will remain confidential. Only the aggregate numbers are reported to CMS.
Even those who don’t want a flu shot can help with this effort by simply reporting to Employee Health Services which of the following applies to them:
- Received the flu shot at UConn Health
- Declined the flu shot
- Received the flu shot somewhere else
Ideally, says Dr. Marc Croteau of the Employee Health Services clinical faculty, we all would report our flu vaccine status, and our response would be #1 or #3.
“Obtaining a yearly flu vaccine is an important public health matter,” Croteau says. “Individuals can transmit flu to others even before they realize that they are ill. Obtaining a flu vaccine not only protects you, it also helps protect your patients, your colleagues, as well as members of your family and community. This is why it is especially important for health care workers to get immunized against the flu. Your active participation is much appreciative.”
Staff, students and volunteers can schedule a free flu shot at Employee Health Services by calling x2893. Those who decline the flu shot or get it somewhere else can email their vaccine status to Louisa Pickett. Or they can take care of both at an upcoming walk-in flu clinic:
- Thursday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 16 Munson Road
- Monday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Onyiuke Dining Room
- Monday, Nov. 16, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., ARB large conference room
- Monday, Nov. 23, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Outpatient Pavilion 7th floor conference room
Those who attend the walk-in clinic should bring their ID badge or employee number.