Flu shots in full swing

Published on Monday, September 25, 2023

By: Danny Barrett Jr., dlbarrett@umc.edu

Photos By: Joe Ellis/UMMC Photography

Appointments for mandatory flu shots for students and employees inside Student and Employee Health Clinic can now be made via the UMMC Intranet.

Times between 7:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. are available inside the clinic starting this week. Deadlines to receive a flu vaccination, either by a UMMC or non-UMMC provider are Nov. 15 for students and Dec. 15 for employees. The clinic will administer shots through March 2024, including those given for any employees hired after the Dec. 15 deadline.

Appointments for flu shots may also be made by calling 4-1185 or emailing flu@umc.edu. The flu vaccination is mandatory during flu season for all UMMC employees, students, volunteers and affiliate students.

Vaccines began going in arms Sept. 12 during a block party-themed event at the Student Union as part of SEH’s Flu on Wheels campaign of events taking place through Dec. 14. Three “Flu Blitz” events will be set up at various locations hospital-wide once a month during that time.    

Influenza typically occurs between October and March each year. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention may extend any season depending on severity of cases nationwide.

Flu activity in Mississippi was minimal to begin September, as it was in much of the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu season is tracked between October and early April, but late summer social activity and the start of school, among other things, can jumpstart prevention efforts for flu and other respiratory ailments.  

“We are rapidly approaching the fall, when influenza rates typically start to increase,” said Dr. Brian Williams, associate professor for preventive medicine and medical director for Student and Employee Health. “The best way to protect yourself and others and ensure a healthy workforce through flu season is for each of us to receive our vaccination.”

If you get your flu shot somewhere other than UMMC, you must submit a copy of the Vaccine Administration Record to be compliant with the policy. Instructions on how to submit this record, can be found here.

Information about how to submit a request for medical or religious accommodation to not receive a flu vaccination can be found here.