Summa Health System has enforced a mandatory flu vaccination policy since 2012. Vaccine will be made available to all employees and volunteers at no cost through Summa Employee Health Departments

Below is a list of frequently asked questions. Please review what’s included below and look for additional information to come in the near future regarding employee flu vaccination.

What is influenza (“the flu”)? Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by specific viruses.. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions are at high risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.

Why is Summa Health System requiring flu vaccination? The answer is simple: safety. Patient and employee safety is of the utmost importance at Summa Health System. And our ability to deliver on our mission – to provide the highest quality, compassionate care to patients and members – is dependent upon an environment that is as safe, healthy and as disease-free as possible. Seasonal flu is one of the more difficult viruses to control and manage, especially in a hospital setting. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways decrease the chances of contracting the illness.

Does this policy affect all employees across the entire health system? Yes. This policy has the support of system leadership and applies to all clinical and non-clinical full-time, part-time and contracted employees across Summa Health System. This policy also applies to volunteers.

Are other healthcare providers enforcing similar vaccination policies? Is there general support for required flu vaccination? Yes. At least 31 professional organizations support general flu vaccination as well as mandatory flu vaccination among healthcare employees. Some of the better-known organizations include: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians and Infectious Disease Society of America. Virginia Mason Medical Center was one of the first healthcare providers to mandate vaccination. Others include: St. Joseph Mercy Healthcare System, Ann Arbor; Healthcare Corporation of America (270 facilities across 20 states); Johns Hopkins Health System; Henry Ford Hospital; Kaiser Permanente; Scripps Health; Detroit Medical Center; and others. I don’t have direct contact with patients. Is vaccination still mandatory/necessary? Yes. Vaccination is imperative even if you don’t have direct contact with patients because of how the virus is spread. The flu is spread by coming in contact with tiny droplets expelled by coughing, sneezing or talking. In some cases, flu can even be contracted by touching a surface or object with strands of the virus on it. The virus can be transmitted by people (with and without the illness) and inanimate objects. Plus, vaccination will help protect you from infection outside of work.

What do I need to know about the flu vaccine? All you need to know about the flu vaccine is in the Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) attached to this communication. It is required reading before you receive your vaccine. It explains risks of mild problems and the very rare severe reaction.

How do we know flu vaccines work? The trivalent seasonal flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Three kinds of influenza viruses commonly circulate among people today: influenza B viruses, influenza A (H1N1) viruses, and influenza A (H3N2) viruses. Each year, one flu virus of each kind is used to produce seasonal influenza vaccine.

When can/should I get vaccinated and where? Is there a deadline? Get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available (usually mid- September). You must be vaccinated by Oct 31st. If you are not vaccinated by November 1st, you cannot be scheduled to work.

When should I get vaccinated so that my immunity lasts through the end of the season? Get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available. Vaccination continues throughout the flu season as long as vaccine is available. It is best that people get vaccinated early so they are protected before influenza begins spreading in their community. Studies suggest that immunity lasts through a full flu season

Are there people who should NOT receive the vaccine? Individuals who have a severe allergy to any component of the vaccine, had serious adverse reactions to previous flu vaccinations or developed Guillian-Barre syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of a previous vaccination should contact their physicians for advice. You must have a physician’s written opinion to forego vaccination.

What is required for vaccine declination? If you choose not to receive a flu vaccination, you MUST complete and submit a declination form along with your physician’s written opinion stating why.

What if I am allergic to the preservative in the vaccine? Employee Health has preservative-free (Thimersol-free) vaccine. Just ask for it

What if I am allergic to eggs? Employee Health has an egg-free vaccine available. If you are allergic to eggs, please discuss the vaccine with the nurse in Employee Health.

What if I knowingly refuse to get a flu vaccination or do not provide appropriate information for declination?

If you knowingly refuse to conform to the flu vaccination policy, you cannot be scheduled to work.

Can I wear a mask instead of getting vaccinated or having a physician signed medical contraindication declination? Masks will no longer be acceptable as an alternative to vaccine for those eligible to receive vaccine.

The wearing of masks is not warranted for those with documented contraindications. The level of staff immunity will be appropriate for patient safety. There will be little risk of transmission to the unvaccinated.

What are my chances of getting the flu and how serious is it? It is estimated – by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – that anywhere from five to 20 percent of the U.S. population contracts the flu virus on an annual basis. In addition, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year due to the flu or flu-related complications. That statistic includes 20,000 children younger than age five. From 1976 to 2006, estimates of the number of flu-associated deaths range from 36,000 to 49,000 per year in the U.S.

What are the most common flu symptoms? The most common flu symptoms include: fever; headache; stuffy head/sinuses; muscle aches; general weakness/fatigue; congestion in the throat, nose and lungs; fever above 104 degrees. Permanent complications are rare but do sometimes occur. In extreme cases, the flu can be fatal.

How is the flu spread? The flu is spread by coming in contact with tiny droplets expelled by coughing, sneezing or talking. In some cases, flu can even be contracted by touching a surface or object with strands of the virus on it. The virus can be transmitted by people (with and without the illness) and inanimate objects.

Can I get the flu from a flu vaccination? No! This is a myth. Flu vaccine is comprised of inactive/killed strands of the virus. It is 100 percent incapable of giving you the flu.

Who is at greatest risk of contracting the flu? There are individuals at greater risk of contracting the flu, including: women who are pregnant; children younger than age five; people age 65 or older; American Indians; Alaskan Natives; those with chronic medical conditions; those who are morbidly obese; those who work or live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities.

If I get vaccinated at my doctor’s office or somewhere else, what do I do? Proper documentation of your vaccination must be provided to the Employee Health Department by the appropriate deadline.

I’ve never had the flu, so I don’t need the vaccination, right? Wrong! Just because you’ve never had the flu does not mean you are naturally immune. Also, you may contract the flu, not experience severe symptoms and transmit the virus to others (whom may become very ill). Even if you believe you’ve never had the flu that does not guarantee you will remain free of the flu this season. Vaccination is still the best way to decrease or eliminate your chances for contracting the flu. Where do I go for more information? If you have questions about flu vaccination the flu vaccination policy, confer with your direct supervisor first. Contact infection control and prevention at your entity with any additional issues or concerns. The website CDC.gov is an excellent source of information on the importance of flu vaccine.