As NHRMC continues to help our community battle the COVID-19 pandemic, we are preparing to begin our annual flu vaccination campaign. Preventing the spread of illness is vitally important to the health of our staff, patients and community – especially as we continue to lead our community through the pandemic.
Beginning Tuesday, September 15, NHRMC will provide free flu shots to all NHRMC employees and NHRMC patients. 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 by 5:00 pm October 30, 2020 to Employee Health Services.
Flu shots for dependents will be announced at a later date.
Employees, volunteers and contract workers can get their flu shots in Employee Health beginning Sept. 15. All employees must complete the Seasonal Flu Immunization Survey in ReadySet MyHealth Portal prior to receiving the vaccine. This survey must be completed prior to the administration of the flu vaccine.
Appointments are encouraged for flu vaccinations through 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 - 3 p.m. Mondays and 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 not available at NHRMC but is available in the community for 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 October 30 deadline. This can be uploaded into your ReadySet MyHealth portal.
Should you choose not to receive the flu vaccine and do not have a qualified exemption on file in Employee Health by October 30, 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 through a link in the Seasonal Flu Immunization Survey in ReadySet MyHealth Portal. All requested information on the exemption form must be completed to be considered for the exemption. The exemption form may be uploaded into your ReadySet MyHealth portal. Every staff member, volunteer and contract employee must receive a flu vaccine or provide a fully completed exemption form no later than October 30.
For patients
Nursing staff will screen all inpatients and recommending flu shots when appropriate. All inpatients 6 months of age or older must be screened and offered vaccination if needed and not contraindicated.
Here are tip sheets for Best Practices:
- Inpatient tip sheet
- Ambulatory tip sheet
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 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.