Several convenient options available for obtaining and reporting off-site flu vaccinations

Getting your annual flu shot is one of most important things you can do to prevent the spread of influenza. In a typical year, a large portion of VUMC faculty and staff receive their flu shot through the Occupational Health Clinic (OHC), OHC events such as Flulapalooza® and departmental on-site visits, or the Peer Vaccination Program.

However, with COVID-19 precautions necessitating the cancelation of this year’s Flulapalooza event, and many employees currently working remotely, there are other convenient options available for employees to obtain and report their flu vaccination no matter where they live or work.

To obtain your flu shot off-site, the Vanderbilt Health Walk-In Clinics and Vanderbilt Health Clinics at Walgreens are excellent options with over 20 locations throughout Middle Tennessee. Visit https://www.myhealthwalkin.com/ to find a location nearest you. You can also reserve your spot online before your arrival.

VUMC employees who are vaccinated outside the OHC program or Peer Vaccination Program, even if vaccinated by a Vanderbilt provider, should report their vaccine to OHC.

A major benefit of obtaining your flu shot at the Vanderbilt Health Walk-In Clinics, Vanderbilt Health Clinics at Walgreens, or any VUMC provider office such as your primary care provider, is the ease of reporting your vaccine to Occupational Health.

A new, automated process has been developed that enables Occupational Health to receive record of your 2020-21 flu vaccine directly from your Vanderbilt medical record (eStar) once you grant consent. You can fill out the online consent form any time at https://redcap.vanderbilt.edu/surveys/?s=KNAWAYH7EA.

For those who obtain their flu shot at a location outside of VUMC, you must still submit your flu shot documentation to OHC. This can also be complete online using the self-report form located at https://redcap.vanderbilt.edu/surveys/?s=4FDMKHXMFK.

For additional information and details about reporting a flu vaccine you received outside of OHC, visit https://www.vumc.org/health-wellness/how-can-i-report-vaccine-i-received-outside-ohc.

While your insurance will be charged for a flu shot obtained at an off-site location, those on the VUMC health plan will have no out-of-pocket cost if you visit a Tier 1 or Tier 2 provider, including the Vanderbilt Health Walk-In Clinics, Vanderbilt Health Clinics at Walgreens, or another VUMC provider office.

Please note that if you visit a Vanderbilt Health Clinics at Walgreens, go to the clinic area and not the  pharmacy  to ensure those with the VUMC health plan have their service covered at no out-of-pocket cost.

For VUMC faculty and staff, the deadline for flu vaccination or approved flu exemption is Dec. 1.

For complete details about this year’s FLUla-2-Uza campaign, visit https://www.vumc.org/health-wellness/employee-influenza-vaccine-program.