Get vaccinated for the flu by Nov. 15

3396TAT_405x350_altdesign_v1Flu is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S., resulting in approximately 36,000 deaths and 226,000 hospitalizations annually. Health care workers infected with influenza have been the cause of outbreaks of the disease in hospitals, clinics and nursing homes.

Because of the responsibility health care workers bear to protect patients, UF Health is introducing mandatory flu vaccination or a formal opt-out/mask process in patient care areas. The mandatory flu vaccination or formal opt-out/mask process applies to individuals who provide service in any UF Health Shands, UF College of Medicine and UF Health Physicians facilities, and UF College of Dentistry facilities and programs. This includes UF Health Science Center college and institute physicians; residents and clinical providers; UF Health Shands employees; UF Health Physicians employees; credentialed medical staff and allied health staff; students; trainees; and volunteers.

These UF Health individuals are expected to be vaccinated against the flu by Nov. 15. For employees of UF Health Shands and UF Health Physicians, and UF College of Medicine physicians and allied health providers on our medical staffs, vaccination is available through UF Health Shands Occupational Health Services at no cost. All other UF Health faculty, staff and students can obtain the vaccination for free from the UF Student Health Care Center during on-site vaccination events at UF Health.

Visit Flu Central at bridge.UFHealth.org/flu for full details and to view an updated schedule of flu vaccination events across UF Health.