Roll up your sleeve, it’s time for flu shots

Football, pumpkin spice and flu shots. Fall is right around the corner, and the med center community needs to be prepared for flu season.  

Flu shots now are available at Nebraska Medicine clinics and inpatient units for patient administration, and on-site vaccine clinics for employees are on the calendar. 

Mark Rupp, MD, chief of the UNMC Division of Infectious Diseases and Nebraska Medicine’s infection control and epidemiology medical director, encourages everyone over six months of age to get their annual influenza vaccine.  

“It’s an important and effective way that we can protect ourselves, our patients, our families and our community,” he said.  

The goal is for at least 90% of employees and health care providers to receive the influenza vaccine and 100% to document their vaccination status in the Health Tracking System. It is required to report vaccination rates to The Joint Commission and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 

There are three ways to get an annual flu shot:  

• If someone works in a clinical area that has staff to administer the vaccine, get the flu shot in that clinical area. 
• If someone does not work in a clinical area, see the drop-in flu clinic schedule below. No appointment is required. Remember to fill out an influenza questionnaire on the Health Tracking System before arriving. 
• Receive a dose in the community at a grocery store, pharmacy or through a physician; just be sure to record it in the Health Tracking System. 
  • If someone has health insurance through Nebraska Medicine, the vaccination should be covered free of charge. If that person has a different insurance provider, check to see if a co-pay is required if getting a flu shot at a clinic, community pharmacy or elsewhere. 
  • UNMC employees who completed the health risk assessment and are enrolled in its health insurance can receive a flu shot at any in-network pharmacy for free. If the employee didn’t complete the health risk assessment, normal co-pays would apply. 

Nebraska Medical Center, lower Storz Pavilion

• Friday, Sept. 29, 8 a.m. to noon  
• Tuesday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  
• Thursday, Oct. 5, 7 to 11 a.m.  
• Friday, Oct. 6, 8 a.m. to noon  
• Friday, Oct. 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  
• Thursday, Oct. 19, 7 to 11 a.m.  
• Friday, Oct. 20, 7 to 11 a.m.  
• Wednesday, Oct. 25, 7 to 11 a.m.  
• Friday, Oct. 27, 8 a.m. to noon  
• Thursday, Nov. 2, 8 a.m. to noon 
• Friday, Nov. 3, noon to 3 p.m.  
• Wednesday, Nov. 8, 7 a.m. to noon  
• Thursday, Nov. 9, 8 a.m. to noon 

Bellevue Medical Center, main foyer on the garden level 

• Wednesday, Oct. 4, 8 to 11 a.m.  
• Wednesday, Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to noon  
• Wednesday, Nov. 8, 8 a.m. to noon 

ECCP, level four, room 4088 

• Tuesday, Oct. 17, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

For Village Pointe Health Center, Lincoln and Grand Island staff, consult with local leadership for vaccination clinic dates. 

Volunteers needed 

Volunteers are being sought to help with check-in, traffic control and vaccine administration at drop-in vaccine clinics. Sign up here for a shift if interested. Be sure to get approval from a manager before volunteering.  

COVID-19 booster vaccines  

All colleagues are strongly encouraged to stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccine boosters and document their booster status in the Health Tracking System. The COVID-19 vaccine booster will not be administered in inpatient areas. The hope is that COVID-19 vaccine boosters will be provided to colleagues during on-site fall vaccination clinics, but these details are still in development. There are COVID-19 vaccine and booster dose options through Nebraska Medicine health centers and pharmacies. Information is available on the Nebraska Medicine website on where and how to get a COVID-19 vaccine dose. Details will be updated as new information becomes available. 

Tuberculosis annual symptom review for providers  

The CDC no longer recommends routine annual skin testing for health care personnel. However, all colleagues need to complete an annual symptom review form. This form will be located within the Health Tracking System beginning Oct. 1. It can be filled out when logging in to complete the influenza questionnaire or document the influenza vaccine.