Influenza vaccination season has officially begun. The Occupational Health Department is offering the flu vaccination free of charge to employees, volunteers, students, contract personnel and independent licensed practioners who are affiliated with the MediSys Health Network.
Flu vaccination protocols for health care workers have become a widely discussed topic over the past few years. Several state and federal agencies have issued guidelines and will be closely monitoring their implementation. There is now mandatory reporting for New York State Department of health and CDC/CMS. The Joint Commission expects that 90% of Hospital personnel will receive the flu vaccine every year.
Employees from all hospital departments, both at the main campus as well as the off-campus locations, are expected to participate in the organization-wide Flu vaccination campaign by October 31st. Any staff member who decides against the vaccination must sign a refusal form. If the vaccine is given by an outside agency or by a private physician, written proof must be submitted to the Office of Occupational Health.
For those people who refuse to receive the flu vaccine, we remind them that unvaccinated personnel will be required to wear a surgical mask while in areas where patients may be present from November 1st throughout the period when influenza remains prevalent in our region.
For further information regarding the flu vaccination program at Flushing Hopsital please contact the Occupational Health Department at 718-670-5360.