General
Who is required to receive a flu shot?
UHealth employees working partially or fully on-site on the Medical campus, at community-based clinics, and at all satellite locations, are required to be vaccinated this flu season unless they have an approved medical or religious exemption.
What are the deadlines to receive the flu vaccine and apply for exemptions?
The deadline for Flu Season 2023/2024 is November 8, 2023. Important deadlines related to the flu vaccine are located at the flu vaccine website.
Why do I need a flu shot?
Our highest priority must be to protect our University community, including our most vulnerable patients and the employees who serve them. Additionally, the CDC recommends everyone six months and older get a flu shot.
Where can I get my flu shot?
A full listing of locations and hours, including UHealth Clinics at Walgreens, is listed on the Employee Health Office website.
Do I need to complete the "Flu Vaccination Attestation" in Workday?
If you receive your flu vaccination on-campus, from a UHealth provider, or at a UHealth Clinic at Walgreens, your flu information will NOT be updated in Workday. You will need to fill out the flu attestation information. After completing your flu attestation through your patient portal, you can check your compliance status in Workday. Workday should be updated within 72 hours. Please keep your vaccination card for future proof of vaccination.
Faculty, staff, and students who elect to receive a flu vaccine outside of the University or at Walgreens, CVS, PCP, VA, JMH, etc. MUST enter the date, location and vaccine information and a copy of your flu shot document in Workday.
Importance of being vaccinated
I am not involved in direct patient care and I am healthy. Why should I be vaccinated?
Fall typically marks the start of cold and flu season in the United States. Research shows that getting the flu vaccine can reduce influenza illness by 40% - 60%. If we get the flu vaccine we can avoid a strain on our healthcare system. This will ensure that the seasonal flu does not reduce healthcare resources for those in need of care.
How effective are flu vaccines, especially since virus strains keep changing?
The flu vaccine is the most effective method to prevent influenza. The effectiveness of the vaccine depends on a number of factors, including the accuracy of the match between vaccine strains and circulating strains and the age and health of the recipient. Influenza vaccine does not protect against other respiratory viral infections that occur during winter months. Public health officials have a good track record of predicting the main flu strains that will cause the most illness during each flu season. These strains usually change each year, which is why the vaccine is given annually. Even if you get the flu from a strain of the virus that was not included in the vaccine, having the vaccine can make your illness milder.
Why isn't vaccination voluntary?
Our highest priority must be to protect the University community, including our most vulnerable patients and the employees who serve them. Research clearly shows that flu vaccinations vastly increase mass immunity and protect immune-suppressed patients.
Can I just take antiviral drugs if I get the flu?
It is best to take precautions to prevent the flu with annual immunization. You can seek treatment for the flu, but in the meantime, you may have already passed on the virus to patients and coworkers since viral shedding may occur up to two to three days prior to the appearance of symptoms. In addition, resistance to antiviral drugs can develop in circulating virus strains, therefore compromising the effectiveness of the drugs for people who need them the most—those at high risk for severe complications.
When should I get vaccinated?
UHealth faculty and staff are required to receive their vaccination before November 8, 2023. However, it is strongly encouraged that you receive your shot as soon as possible. It takes about two weeks to develop protection after receiving the vaccine.
Can you get the flu from the flu vaccine?
No, you cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine. Some people mistakenly confuse flu symptoms with the vaccine side effects, such as a minor fever, etc., or they may have caught the flu prior to having the flu vaccine and have not developed signs and symptoms of the flu.
Will the flu vaccine make me feel ill?
Almost all people who receive the influenza vaccine have no serious problems. Some may experience minor side effects. If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot is given and usually last no more than one to two days. The most common side effects are:
- Soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given
- Low-grade fever and mild body aches
Please contact University of Miami's Office of Risk Management if you believe you are experiencing adverse side effects related to a flu vaccination.
I have an allergy to eggs. Should I get the flu vaccine?
An egg free vaccine is available.
I am pregnant. Should I get the flu vaccine?
Yes. It is especially important for pregnant women to get the flu shot, as you are more likely to have serious complications to yourself and your pregnancy if you get the flu. Once you get the flu shot, your body will start producing antibodies that will help protect you against the flu, and this protection can be passed to your unborn baby. According to the CDC, you can receive the flu shot at any time, during any trimester, while you are pregnant. Pregnant women should receive the injectable vaccine.
What if I get vaccinated on my own through my doctor’s office, a pharmacy, JMH, VA hospital, or another location other than at a University of Miami designated location?
Faculty, staff, and students who elect to receive a flu vaccine outside of the University or at Walgreens, CVS, PCP, VA, JMH, etc. MUST enter the date, location and vaccine information and a copy of your flu shot document in Workday. Please review the steps for compliance.
Exemptions
What if I have medical or religious reasons for declining vaccination?
Employees must apply for exemptions through Workday by November 8, 2023. Review the required supporting information and documentation prior to submitting your request. The University of Miami follows the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Likewise, if receiving the vaccination conflicts with sincerely held beliefs, a request for religious accommodation can be made.
What documentation do I need to provide to request a medical exemption?
Employees must apply for exemptions through Workday with the required documentation. For a medical exemption:
- Please attach a provider's note (MD/DO/NP/PA/etc.) stating medical rationale for requesting an exemption.
A committee will review the documentation and make a determination within seven (7) days.
Non-employees filing for medical exemption from the flu shot shall fill out the form below and submit it with supporting documentation to flu@miami.edu.
My religion requires me to decline vaccination. What should I do?
Employees must apply for exemptions through Workday with the required documentation. For a religious exemption, this will include:
- A letter from your religious leader, on official letterhead, speaking to your religious affiliation and/or a quote from a religious text along with a letter explaining the relevance of the text supporting your beliefs.
- Submission of the Religious Exemption Form.
The Office of Workplace Equity and Inclusion will review the information and documents submitted through Workday. A determination will be provided within seven (7) days of submission.
Employees filing for religious exemption from the flu shot are required to complete the Religious Exemption Form, and submit it with supporting documentation to wei@miami.edu.
I received a medical exemption last year. Do I have to submit the paperwork again this year?
If you received a "permanent" exemption, you are not required to apply again this year. If you received a "temporary" exemption, you are required to reapply for a medical exemption by the designated deadline date. Please find deadlines at the flu vaccine website under "important dates."
I received a religious exemption last year. Do I have to submit the paperwork again this year?
No. If you received a religious exemption last year, you are NOT required to submit a new application this year. Please find deadlines at the flu vaccine website under "important dates."
I just received or started my COVID-19 vaccine series. Do I have to wait to get a flu vaccine?
No. The CDC no longer recommends waiting between vaccines. Please see the language from the CDC website below or click here.
"You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines at the same visit. You no longer need to wait 14 days between vaccinations. Experience with other vaccines has shown that the way our bodies develop protection, known as an immune response, after getting vaccinated and possible side effects of vaccines are generally the same when given alone or with other vaccines. Learn more about the timing of other vaccines."
Submitting documentation through Workday
How do I submit my flu vaccination attestation or exemption?
To assist in submitting your flu vaccination attestation or exemption, there is an ActionBot within Workday. To start, log in to Workday and click the ActionBot icon and select "Complete Vaccination Compliance." If you do not see the ActionBot icon, click here to learn how to install the WalkMe ActionBot plug-in on your computer.
