In support of patient safety and as the trusted leader in caring for people and advancing health, all MedStar Health associates, physicians, residents, students, volunteers, contracted staff, and vendors are required to receive the influenza (flu) vaccination. This year’s vaccination period is Sunday, October 1, through Thursday, November 30.
Vaccination of associates reduces the risk of transmitting the flu virus to patients since healthcare workers are frequently linked as the source of flu in healthcare settings. You could have no flu symptoms and still be a carrier, unknowingly spreading it to patients, fellow co-workers, visitors, and your family.
Did you know more than 870,000 patients within Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region receives care from a MedStar Health facility each year? If all of us are vaccinated, the chances of the flu spreading significantly decrease.
MedStar is committed to making the influenza vaccine as accessible to you as possible. We will continue to provide the vaccine at MedStar entities free of cost for associates, physicians, residents and volunteers.
Obtain your free flu vaccination from:
- All Occupational Health offices across the system
- Unit rounds in high-volume patient care areas
- Peer immunizers
- Clinics scheduled at various sites
- MedStar Health Urgent Care locations
Locations, dates and times for entity clinics will be posted on StarPort at http://starport.medstar.net/go/EveryoneCounts.
Note: A valid MedStar ID must be presented to receive a free flu vaccination. PromptCare offices will submit documentation to Occupational Health.
If you choose to be vaccinated outside of MedStar, you must complete and submit official documentation to Occupational Health (letterhead, prescription form, printed receipt) from the provider administering the vaccine. Documentation must include:
- Associate's name
- Date of vaccination
- Name, dose and lot number of vaccine
- Name, address and phone number of provider
We recognize that a small percentage of associates may not be able to receive the flu vaccination because of medical contra-indications and/or religious exemptions. The Influenza Vaccine Exemption Form must be submitted to Occupational Health by October 31, 2017. To obtain an Influenza Vaccination Exemption Form or for more information about influenza vaccinations, visit http://starport.medstar.net/go/EveryoneCounts.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the health and safety of our patients and associates.
