Employees: Register for 2022 flu vaccine clinic
Influenza season is approaching and UT Health Services encourages employees to get a seasonal influenza vaccine to protect themselves, co-workers, and patients.
Employees who plan to take part in one of the flu clinics provided by Employee Health Services are asked to register online in advance as to not cause delay or interruption to others during the flu drive.
Employee Health has transitioned to using the Epic system. Registering in advance allows clinic employees to enter patient information into the electronic health record system. The information placed in the registration form is HIPAA-compliant. Once the form is completed, employees may receive Epic alerts regarding the vaccination appointment.
To register, employees will need the location and date of the vaccine clinic they plan to attend, and are asked to reach out to their manager if participating in the satellite clinic flu administration for those locations/dates/times.
Employee Health Services will administer flu vaccinations for UTHealth Houston employees at McGovern Medical School on the following dates:
Tuesday, Oct. 18 | 9-11 a.m. | Room B.645
Tuesday, Nov. 15 | 1-3 p.m. | Room B.645
A full schedule of flu vaccinations offered around the remaining UTHealth Houston campuses can be found here.
Employee Health is a NEW Service Area in Epic, so even if an employee is an existing patient, the information will be added in a different area, which is completely isolated from any other patient records in Epic. Employee Health cannot see visits, labs, vital signs, or other medical information from other providers. The only information shared between Employee Health and any other service area is patient allergies and vaccines, which allows the patient’s primary care provider to see they received a flu vaccine because that is the only information that will flow into their regular Epic chart.
Please note:
- Patients will not receive an immunization card since the information will now be housed in Epic.
- Employees should anticipate signing electronic forms at the time of arrival.
- Employees will not need to provide a copy of their health insurance card.
- Employees should wear a shirt that allows access to the upper arm.
- If a flu shot appointment is missed, there will be other flu clinics around the Texas Medical Center through Nov. 15.
Employees who are unable to attend one of the clinics can bring their insurance card to UT Health Services, at 6410 Fannin St., Suite 100, during normal business hours, until 30 minutes before closing. Employees with UT SELECT insurance may also receive a vaccine at local pharmacies by showing their UT SELECT enrollment card. There is no fee or copay to receive the vaccine.
UTHealth Houston employee dependents
UT Health Services will immunize covered dependents age 18 and older of employees with UT SELECT insurance. Dependents under 18 of employees with UT SELECT insurance are covered but will need to be vaccinated by their personal health care provider or another provider of influenza vaccines.
About the vaccine and flu season
Fluzone Quadrivalent, manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur, will be administered this flu season. The vaccine is formulated with the four influenza strains recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service for the 2022-23 influenza season.
The four influenza strains recommended for the 2022-23 season are:
- A/Victoria/2570/2019 IVR-215 (H1N1)
- A/Darwin/9/2021 SAN-010 (H3N2)
- B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B Yamagata lineage)
- B/Michigan/01/2021 (a B/Austria/1359417/2021-like virus, B Victoria lineage)
The single-dose, pre-filled syringes of the vaccine are formulated without thimerosal or any other preservative. The vaccine is administered intramuscularly.
In addition to being vaccinated, please remember simple measures you can take to protect yourselves and others from viruses such as influenza:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneeze, and then dispose of the tissue in a wastebasket.
- Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve if you don’t have a tissue.
- Wash your hands and use hand sanitizers frequently, especially after you cough or sneeze.
- If you are sick, please stay at home.
For more information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website to review its guidance on the 2022-23 flu season.
Student influenza shots
Students are offered flu vaccines through Student Health and Counseling Services. A vaccine schedule for students can be found on the UTHealth Houston intranet.