Flu Season Start December 1

November 20, 2020

Dear Rutgers Colleagues, 

We are writing today with an important reminder to protect yourself, the ones you care for, and your community by getting your flu shot. We are also writing to announce December 1, 2020 to be the start of Flu Season for Rutgers personnel (as per Policy 100.3.1). 

The flu vaccine cannot cause flu illness and it is recommended that almost everyone 6 months and older receive the flu vaccine every year. Flu vaccinations are the most effective way to prevent the flu, lessen its symptoms, and reduce its spread. Flu vaccines will help reduce the burden of flu illnesses and hospitalizations on the health care system and conserve scarce medical resources for the care of people with COVID-19. Flu shots are available at local pharmacies and through your primary care provider. Please visit the State of New Jersey's flu webpage to find a vaccine provider near you or review the information included below our signature to obtain your vaccination from Occupational Health. 

All Covered Individuals are required to have a seasonal flu vaccination during Flu Season unless they have a Rutgers-approved medical or religious exemption. The Flu Policy defines a “Covered Individual” to mean all Healthcare Personnel and all Public Safety Personnel, at all locations, regardless of whether they have routine presence in Patient Care Areas or have routine contact with patients. “Healthcare Personnel” means individuals who work directly or have other close contact with patients or who handle material that could spread infection in a Patient Care Area. Please review Policy 100.3.1 to determine if this requirement applies to you.  Any Covered Individual who fails to comply with this policy may be subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment. 

This year we are looking at a flu season unlike any we’ve experienced before because of the simultaneous COVID-19 pandemic. Though we hope you will limit holiday celebrations to your household group or virtual gatherings, we wish everyone in the Rutgers Community a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season. Please remember: wear a mask, watch your distance, wash your hands, and get your flu shot. 

Sincerely,

Vicente Gracias, MD
Senior Vice Chancellor for Clinical Affairs, RBHS 
Vice President for Health Affairs, Rutgers University 

Brian L. Strom, MD, MPH
Chancellor, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Rutgers University 

Rutgers New Brunswick/Piscataway/Newark/Camden Faculty and Staff: 

• Flu vaccine Information is available on the Occupational Health webpage. 

RBHS New Brunswick/Piscataway Faculty and Staff: 

• RWJMS employee Flu Vaccine Information is listed here, or contact Employee Health Services at 732-235-6559 for further information on obtaining flu shots. 
• For all others, EOHSI Flu Vaccine Information is listed here, or contact EOHSI in Piscataway for information on obtaining flu shots: 848-445-0123 extension #2 

RBHS Newark Faculty and Staff: 

• NJMS OMS Flu Vaccine Information is listed here, or contact Occupational Medical Service (OMS) in Newark for further information on obtaining flu shots: 973-972-2900.