September 19, 2011

Free flu shots begin Sept. 27 for eligible university employees

The 2011 influenza vaccine will be administered free of charge to eligible employees of The Johns Hopkins University beginning late this month. The vaccination sessions begin on Tuesday, Sept. 27, and continue at locations across the university over a two-week span through Tuesday, Oct. 11. A full schedule of vaccination sessions is online.

Again this year, only one flu shot is needed. The vaccine for H1N1, the pandemic strain of flu from two years ago, is included in the shot along with the vaccine for two other strains of flu expected to be in wide circulation this year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone 6 months of age or older be vaccinated for flu every year. For details, go to www.cdc.gov/flu/flu_vaccine_updates.htm.

Those eligible for the Johns Hopkins flu vaccination program are full-time university employees, and their spouses or same-sex domestic partners; and part-time employees for whom the university is the primary employer, and their spouses and same-sex domestic partners. Children are not eligible.

Employees must accompany their spouse or domestic partner at the time of vaccination. University identification is required. Everyone is reminded to wear clothing that makes the upper arm, the site of the flu shot, accessible.

Anyone with questions should contact Occupational Health Services at 410-955-6211 (East Baltimore office) or 410-516-0450 (Homewood office).