As the seasonal virus approaches, UNMC Interim Chair Dele Davis, MD, and Nebraska Medicine CEO Jim Linder, MD, are sending a joint message to medical centers about vaccinations.
Autumn respiratory virus season is just around the corner. Because we are local health professionals, the public and patients expect us to lead by example by getting vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19.
We know that vaccination minimizes the spread of disease. It protects everyone: our communities, families, colleagues, residents, and patients. This aligns with our mission to lead the world and create a healthy future for individuals and communities. This is also an important part of our commitment to zero harm. In addition, vaccination rates must be reported annually to the Joint Commission and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Here are four things Nebraska Health care colleagues and UNMC faculty and students should know about this year’s influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.
Our goal is to ensure that at least 90% of our colleagues at the Nebraska College of Medicine and UNMC faculty, staff, and students receive the influenza vaccine. Nebraska Health colleagues and UNMC faculty, staff, and students are required to record their influenza and COVID-19 vaccination status in our health tracking system. If you receive a vaccine through an on-site clinic or practice area, it will be automatically recorded. Log into your health tracking system to record whether you were vaccinated elsewhere (e.g., pharmacy, doctor’s office) or if you declined the vaccine, and enter the reason for your refusal. Drop-in vaccine clinics will be held at various locations across the system from October 2nd to November 14th. Don’t forget to fill out the flu questionnaire in our health tracking system before you arrive. To access your online health tracking system from off-network, follow these step-by-step instructions. Everyone is strongly encouraged to stay informed about the COVID-19 vaccine, but vaccination is not required. Due to supply chain issues, Nebraska Medicine is receiving a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines to administer to colleagues. Vaccines are not available at all drop-in clinics. Read this UNMC Today article to learn more.
All University of Nebraska colleagues and UNMC students or staff who wear N95 masks are also required to complete an annual symptom review form for tuberculosis (TB). Starting Wednesday, October 2, you will be able to log into your health tracker and complete this short survey.
Our ITEACH value of Accountability requires us to take responsibility and do the right thing. Although we do not mandate vaccination or require vaccination for employment, we are confident that most students and employees will get vaccinated because it is simply the right thing to do. It’s part of our responsibility to our patients and each other.
We also encourage you to act as an advocate for your patients. The influenza vaccine is now available to patients. All inpatient nursing staff must be tested and vaccinated for influenza before discharge. Influenza vaccines are also available on an outpatient basis. It should be administered to all patients over 6 months of age without contraindications. For additional resources on influenza and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines, visit our health tracker.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jim Linder, CEO of Nebraska Medicine
Dele Davis, MD, UNMC Interim Chancellor
