NHRMC employees have less than three weeks to get their annual flu shot. Everyone who works at NHRMC and all of its affiliates, including volunteers and contract workers, are required to have an annual influenza vaccination or submit an approved qualified exemption form before November 9 to Employee Health Services.
Employees, their dependents, volunteers and contract workers can get their flu shot in Employee Health.
Appointments are encouraged for all, and required for dependents. Flu vaccines will be available through the Employee Health and Clinic during the following hours:
- NHRMC 17th Street: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday, (667.7445)
- NHRMC Orthopedic Hospital (only for ages 18 and over): 7:30 - 11 a.m. Mondays; 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Wednesdays, (452.8268)
- Pender Memorial Hospital: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday - Friday, (300.4015). Also administered by Nursing Supervisors after hours and weekends.
- NHRMC Physician Groups: NHRMC’s Employee Health Services will work with leaders of NHRMC Physician Groups to provide vaccine administration and those locations/dates/times will be announced.
Egg-free vaccine is available to employees with a history of severe egg allergy.
Information on additional sites and times will be communicated when it becomes available. Contact any Employee Health location with questions.
You may also receive your flu vaccination from your personal physician or other agencies. However, written proof of vaccination must be submitted to Employee Health Services by the November 9 deadline.
Should you choose not to receive the flu vaccine and do not have a qualified exemption on file in Employee Health by November 9, you will be unable to work, which may result in the loss of your position at NHRMC. Exemptions are granted only for a documented medical contraindication or a firmly held belief or creed. Exemption forms are available in Employee Health. All requested information on the exemption form must be completed to be considered for the exemption. Every staff member, volunteer and contract employee must receive a flu vaccine or provide a fully completed exemption form no later than November 9. Staff with a documented exemption from receiving the influenza vaccine will be required to wear a mask when providing patient care throughout flu season.
For patients
Nursing staff is now screening all inpatients and providing flu shots to those who want them. All inpatients 6 months of age or older must be screened and offered vaccination if needed and not contraindicated.
Here are tips sheets for Best Practices:
The flu is associated with more than 300,000 hospitalizations and nearly 14,000 deaths annually in the United States. Together we have made great strides in increasing patient safety throughout NHRMC hospitals and all of its affiliates. Because compliance with the flu vaccine policy has shown a decrease in employee sick days, we believe that receiving a flu vaccine is a simple way to help keep our patients – and each other – safe. Thank you for your efforts.