End of influenza masking period for exempted unvaccinated VUMC employees announced

Annoucement from Infection Prevention about masking requirements for employees exempted from the flu shot:

By VUMC policy, all faculty, housestaff, and staff who have received an exemption from influenza vaccination are required to wear a surgical mask in all patient care areas until the influenza season has ended. The Department of Infection Prevention uses data from the VUMC Virology lab as well as regional surveillance data to assess the level of influenza activity. As of this week, activity in the area has decreased below our masking threshold. As such, the masking period for the 2018-19 season is over.