Flu Season 2011-2012

The start of flu season is around the corner and influenza vaccination remains the most effective flu prevention strategy to ensure patient safety and to protect you, your family and your colleagues from contracting the flu.  Everyone is encouraged to receive a flu shot or wear a mask when providing direct patient care. 

The CDC recommends influenza vaccination for all persons 6-months-of-age and older. It's especially important for high-risk patients, including pregnant women, to be vaccinated. 

Patient and Visitor Vaccination Program at BWH

We are distributing vaccine to our inpatient units and to our primary care and specialty care clinics.  Central flu clinics for patients and visitors will take place at the following locations:
BWH

Oct. 18, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Tower Mezzanine outside the Shop on the Pike

Oct. 26, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., “Alcove” on Tower Mezzanine just before the entrance to the Shapiro Bridge

Nov. 1, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Tower Mezzanine outside the Shop on the Pike

Nov. 9, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., “Alcove” on Tower Mezzanine just before the entrance to the Shapiro Bridge

Brigham and Women’s/Mass General Health Center, Foxborough

Oct. 31, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., 2^nd fl. Community Room

850 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill

Nov. 5, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Fishbowl

Employee Vaccination Program

The Employee Vaccination program kicks off Saturday, Oct. 22, and continues through Saturday, Oct. 29, 6:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Tower Mezzanine outside the Shop on the Pike.  Annual TB Screening is also available during employee flu clinics.  OHS is currently distributing vaccine through the Peer-to-Peer program and offsite OHS location dates will be announced soon. Please be sure to bring your hospital ID and wear loose clothing. 

PeopleSoft Documentation

All employees are required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to document that they either received a flu vaccination or declined to be vaccinated by Dec. 15, 2011.  Employees who receive their flu vaccination through the BWH OHS flu clinics (this includes the Peer-to-Peer Program) will not need to enter this information into PeopleSoft, as receipt of the flu vaccination by OHS or through the Peer-to-Peer program will be documented automatically.   All other employees will be required to log into PeopleSoft and document when and where they received flu vaccine or that they have chosen to decline to be vaccinated.  Staff who do not have computer access or may need assistance can contact their managers for more information.