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Deadline for flu compliance is Nov. 30
Only half of Asante’s workforce has been immunized, putting patients and coworkers at risk.
Employees have just two more days to get their flu shot or submit a declination form in accordance with state requirements.
So far Asante’s flu campaign is falling far short of its 90% goal. About 63% of employees have been vaccinated and 84.5% in compliance, which includes those who declined the vaccine and submitted the necessary form.
Remember, when flu season is declared, unvaccinated employees are expected to follow the policy
and wear a mask in hospitals and other facilities where patients are cared for.
MyChart offers an in-app/online flu attestation and declination process to make complying with the deadline even easier.
Employees who receive their flu shot from any Asante facility such as an APP clinic, Asante pharmacy or Employee Health, can log into their MyChart account and attest they have been immunized. You can also submit an attestation form or declination form to Employee Health.
Those who received the flu vaccine outside of Asante will use the MyChart form to attest.
Employees can receive COVID-19 boosters through APP clinics or their primary care provider.
It is important to note that employees who report flu-like symptoms are tested for both influenza and COVID-19, which could prolong the time it takes to be cleared to return to work. A flu shot can help prevent that added complication.
Patients are already being screened for flu, so Asante Infection Prevention encourages employees to be immunized well before the flu season starts to help limit the spread of influenza. To learn more, check out the 2023-2024 flu season FAQs.
Vaccine fast facts
Vaccines promote antibody production. If you come into contact with the flu virus, your body will be better able to fight off the illness.
Annual vaccinations are designed to protect against the three or four flu virus strains expected to be the most common during the coming flu season.
Herd immunity happens when large portions of the population are vaccinated against an illness. This reduces the virus’s ability to spread and protects vulnerable populations such as the young, elderly or those with chronic health conditions who may not be able to get the vaccine themselves.
The flu shot provided by Asante includes inactivated or dead virus strains.
It takes about two weeks for antibodies to fully develop. If you get the flu shot after the mask-on period is called, consider wearing a surgical mask for two weeks to best protect yourself and others.
You cannot get the flu from the vaccine. There are many different strains of flu, so you may get the flu from a strain that was not included in the vaccine.
Antibodies produced by the strains of flu included in the vaccine may provide protection against strains not included in the flu, reducing the how sick you can get if exposed to another flu virus. Most people with egg allergies can get the vaccine. If this is a concern, discuss your options with a provider.
If you have a question, please contact the author or relevant department directly.
