Loading
Click for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Forecast
HOME ISSUE

CALENDAR

BETWEEN ISSUES ARCHIVE DEADLINES CONTACT US
 
 
Print This Issue
Front Page
Contents
Crimes
Directory
All About Teaching
Subscribe to E-Alamanc!
Staffbox
Guidelines
 

 

Limited Flu Vaccination Program for Eligible
Faculty and Staff

We are pleased to announce that UPHS’ Occupational Medicine has been able to acquire a supply of flu vaccines, both in flu shot form and nasal mist form, to be offered to University faculty and staff. Several conditions apply to obtaining one of these vaccines, so please carefully review the information below.

In order to take advantage of this limited vaccination program, you must:

1.   be a regular full- or part-time Penn faculty or staff member,

2.   meet the appropriate qualifications for either a flu shot or the nasal mist (see below),

3.   pre-register (see Registration, below) for the limited number of available slots, and

4.   bring the following when you show up at your appointed time:

−    your Penn ID

−    cash payment ($18 shots, $40 nasal mist)

−    your Registration Confirmation Form

−    if you are registered for a flu shot, documentation of your high risk condition

Eligibility: Occupational Medicine has been able to acquire a small supply of flu shots, as well as a substantial supply of the nasal mist vaccine. Penn faculty and staff who meet the qualifications described below can register online for either vaccine. (Please note that family members are not eligible for this program.)

1.   Flu shotsBecause of the limited supply of flu shots, registration is only available to those who meet the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for high risk. These guidelines include people who are over 65 or have serious medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to serious complications of influenza (e.g., people with asthma, emphysema, heart disease, or organ transplants, or those who are on immuno-supressive drugs like chemotherapy). Further information is available on the CDC website: www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/whoshouldget.htm. Please read this carefully before registering for a flu shot.

2.   Nasal mist–FluMist is the trade name for the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (or LAIV) administered by nasal inhalation. This inhaled vaccine contains a live, but weakened, influenza virus. Please note that CDC guidelines suggest this vaccine for adults 18-49; however, the UPHS Infection Control Director has advised that the nasal mist vaccine is safe and effective for healthy, non-pregnant adults under age 65. Further information on FluMist ( LAIV) is available on the CDC website: www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-flulive.pdf. Please read this carefully before registering for a flu shot.

Registration: You must be pre-registered–and meet the appropriate qualifications—to receive a vaccination. To help with scheduling and to ensure the necessary staffing, Occupational Medicine is using the HR registration system for this program. Go to www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/wellness/flushots.asp for registration information. Note that if you register and show up, but do not meet the qualifications, you will not be able to receive a vaccination.

Registration for either vaccine will be on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you qualify, sign up now. Vaccinations will be administered in the Occupational Medicine Clinic, Ground Silverstein, 3400 Spruce Street as follows:

Nasal Mist—December 15  8 a.m.-4 p.m. 

Flu Shots—December 21, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Note: Vaccine supplies are limited and continued availability of flu shots cannot be guaranteed. If the flu shot will not be available for your scheduled time, you will be notified by e-mail. There will be no shortages of the nasal mist vaccine.

Cost: Flu shots will be provided at discounted rates. The cost for flu shots will be $18 cash, and the cost for the nasal mist will be $40 cash. Occupational Medicine will be accepting cash only for payment (no checks or credit cards). You may pursue reimbursement with your own insurer directly. Information about health insurance and pre-tax expense account reimbursement is available online at www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/wellness/flushots.asp.

If you have questions, please contact Occupational Medicine at 9215) 662-2367. However, please restrict calls to urgent matters so that we can continue to conduct Occupational Medicine business as needed. Visit www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/wellness/flushots.asp for information.

—Division of Human Resources

 

 


  Almanac, Vol. 51, No. 14, December 7, 2004

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS:

Tuesday,
December 7, 2004
Volume 51 Number 14
www.upenn.edu/almanac

 

Back to Contents page
HOME ISSUE CALENDAR BETWEEN ISSUES ARCHIVE DEADLINES CONTACT US