Corporate Offices
525 East Market St.
P.O. Box 2090
Akron, OH 44309-2090
Phone (330) 375-3000
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.
www.summahealth.org
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.
Corporate Offices
525 East Market St.
P.O. Box 2090
Akron, OH 44309-2090
Phone (330) 375-3000
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 midSeptember). 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
www.summahealth.org
Corporate Offices
525 East Market St.
P.O. Box 2090
Akron, OH 44309-2090
Phone (330) 375-3000
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.
www.summahealth.org
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,
Corporate Offices
525 East Market St.
P.O. Box 2090
Akron, OH 44309-2090
Phone (330) 375-3000
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.
www.summahealth.org
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.
Corporate Offices
525 East Market St.
P.O. Box 2090
Akron, OH 44309-2090
Phone (330) 375-3000
www.summahealth.org
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.