Pumpkin patches. Football games. Flannel shirts. Harvest decor. Fall is almost here.
Although the season brings many fun and lighthearted traditions, it also marks the beginning of respiratory illness season. To protect staff and the community, the med center once again is offering influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations at no cost to all Nebraska Medicine colleagues and UNMC students, faculty and staff. On-site vaccine clinics for employees begin Wednesday, Oct. 2.
Kelly Cawcutt, MD, Nebraska Medicine’s infection prevention and hospital epidemiology medical director and assistant professor in the UNMC Division of Infectious Diseases, encourages all colleagues to get vaccinated against both viral illnesses.
“As we are the state’s leading academic health care institution, our community and our patients are looking to us to set the example and keep everyone safe,” Dr. Cawcutt said. “Not only is getting vaccinated a critical and effective way to limit the spread and severity of influenza and COVID-19, but it also is important as we are required to report our employee vaccination status to the Joint Commission and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services each year. Let’s do the right thing and get vaccinated this season.”
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.
There are three ways to get vaccinated:
- Colleagues who work in a clinical area that has staff to administer the vaccines can get their flu shot in their clinical area beginning Wednesday, Oct. 2. COVID-19 vaccines will only be available in ambulatory areas and drop-in clinics.
- Colleagues who do not work in a clinical area should see the drop-in flu clinic schedule below. No appointment is required. Colleagues should fill out the influenza questionnaire on the Health Tracking System before arriving and bring their ID badge.
- Receive a vaccine in the community at a grocery store, pharmacy or through a physician; just be sure to record it in the Health Tracking System.
- Colleagues who have health insurance through Nebraska Medicine should have their vaccination covered free of charge. If someone has a different insurance provider, check to see if a co-pay is required if receiving 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.
Because the latest formulations of the COVID-19 vaccine were only recently approved by the FDA, the exact date they will arrive for colleague and patient administration is unknown. It is anticipated that they will be available in time for the first drop-in clinic, but there may be a slight delay. An update will be posted in UNMC Today and on the Nebraska Medicine NOW as more information becomes available.
Nebraska Medical Center, lower Storz Pavilion
- Wednesday, Oct. 2, 8 a.m. to noon
- Tuesday, Oct. 8, 7 to 11 a.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 9, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 11, 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 17, 8 a.m. to noon
- Friday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 22, 8 a.m. to noon
- Thursday, Oct. 24, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 30, 8 a.m. to noon
- Thursday, Oct. 31, 8:30 a.m. to noon
- Wednesday, Nov. 6, noon to 3 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 13, 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 14, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Bellevue Medical Center, Conference Room A, garden level
- Wednesday, Oct. 16, 8 a.m. to noon
- Friday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Village Pointe, room 10103 A&B
- Thursday, Nov. 7, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
ECCP, level four, room 4061
- Thursday, Oct. 24, 8:30 to 11 a.m.
Lincoln, Grand Island, and Kearney staff should consult with local leadership for vaccination clinic dates. Volunteers, third party vendors, Cardinal employee and other non-employees, as well as minors, are not eligible to attend the above drop-in clinics.
Volunteers needed
Nebraska Medicine is seeking volunteers 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 manager approval before volunteering.
Get vaccinated for a chance to win a prize
Nebraska Medicine colleagues have two chances to earn a reward:
- Nebraska Medicine and dually employed colleagues who document the completion of their influenza vaccine in their Empower Your Well-Being portal will be entered into a drawing for 2,800 Empower Prize Store points, which equals a $25 gift card. Ten winners will be chosen, and the drawing will take place at the end of November.
- All Nebraska Medicine and UNMC employees who document their vaccination in the Health Tracking System (whether they received their vaccine at a drop-in clinic, in their clinical area or elsewhere in the community) will be entered into a drawing for one of 20 vouchers to The Company Store.
Tuberculosis annual symptom review
The CDC no longer recommends routine annual skin testing for health care personnel. However, all Nebraska Medicine colleagues need to complete an annual symptom review form. This form will be located within the Health Tracking System beginning Oct. 2 and should be completed as soon as possible. It can be filled out when logging in to complete the influenza questionnaire or document the influenza vaccine.