Flu Season Is Here - Protect Yourself

Protection is in your hands. Details on prevention tips can be found at http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-09-25-flu-tentips_x.htm and more information on the prevention of flu is available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm. A printable poster, "Cover Your Cough", is also available at http://www.ehs.uci.edu/programs/occhlth/pandemic/covercough.pdf for downloading and posting in your work area.

Flu Vaccination
Vaccination against the flu is targeted toward those at greatest risk from complications from influenza: people 50 years of age and older; some children under 2 years of age; adults with chronic lung and heart problems; and health care and child care workers who provide direct, hands-on care.

A new 2007 California law requires hospital employees to get an annual flu vaccine or sign a Letter of Declination. The University of California, Irvine Schools of Medicine and Nursing and the University of California, Irvine Medical Center employees are eligible for free flu vaccines with 2007-2008 Influenza Vaccine Campaign funds. Information available on the Health Affairs intranet: http://www.ucihs.uci.edu/ (access-limited web site)

Campus employees whose departments are willing to cover the cost of their flu vaccines can obtain the vaccine at the Student Health Center . Those eligible for a covered vaccine must be pre-authorized to obtain the vaccine at the Student Health Center by completing an Occupational Health Services Referral Form. Flu clinic schedules are available at: http://www.shs.uci.edu/ .

All campus employees can obtain a flu vaccine from their private physicians (office co-pay may apply), pharmacies, and other retail businesses in the community. To locate a flu clinic near you, go to: http://findaflushot.com/ . Employees can obtain the flu vaccine at the Student Health Center for $22. Flu clinic schedules are available at: http://www.shs.uci.edu/ .

If you have any questions about your eligibility for a flu vaccine, please discuss this with your supervisor. Any further questions or concerns can be directed to the Occupational Health Program Coordinator at UCI, by email occhlth@uci.edu or phone 949-824-6200.

rev. 10/07