Creighton University

In light of the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and with overwhelming evidence  that influenza vaccination is the most effective method for preventing transmission of the influenza virus and its potentially severe complications, the following actions have been endorsed by the President’s Cabinet:

Obviously, our ultimate goal is to achieve vaccination completion well before December 1, depending on the availability of H1N1 vaccine.

As previously announced, this recommendation was proposed by the University Crisis Committee and supported by Cabinet in recognition of the responsibility that Creighton University has to protect the health and well-being of faculty, staff, students, patients, families and the community at large. Nationally, other medical centers and clinical health care settings are following this practice to ensure the safety and health of the community.

The following procedures have been developed to guide the University in the implementation of this action:

1. Influenza vaccinations will be administered in accordance with:
   1. National recommendations in effect at the time of vaccination
   2. Manufacturer guidelines for administration
2. The seasonal influenza vaccine and H1N1 influenza vaccine will be provided at no cost to the faculty, staff, or student.

The University will expedite offering employees the seasonal flu vaccine and has scheduled several earlier dates for distribution in addition to the Benefits Fair on Oct. 12 and 13.  Our first priority will be university health care workers and child care employees and students placed in clinical settings.

The good news is efforts are in full swing to ensure the health care faculty and staffs are being vaccinated in a timely manner.  Our Child Development Center staff has already received their vaccinations.   Targeted efforts are underway to reach high density health care worker populations and we are working with those groups individually to manage this expectation. About 800 workers will need to get their mandatory vaccinations by Dec.1, 2009.

We also realize the general employee population is also anxious to get their vaccine.  To meet this need, additional no-cost employee flu shot dates have been added:

• Oct.1 – 8 a.m. - noon – Skutt Student Center, Room 105
• Oct 5 – noon - 4 p.m. - Skutt Student Center, Room 105
• Oct. 12 – Benefits Fair – CUMC Becic Dining Room - 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Oct. 13 – CU Benefits Fair – Harper Center Ballroom - 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Oct.26 -  Skutt Student Center – Room 104 – 8:a.m. – noon.
• Oct. 27 – Harper Center – Room 3029 – noon. – 4 p.m.
• Oct. 28 – CUMC Dining Room D – noon. – 4 p.m.

We are committed to offering the seasonal flu shot to employees who wish to get one here on campus free-of-charge.   However, if dates do not work for your schedule, medical plan recipients are covered 100 percent if they choose to receive the vaccine through other sources.

The H1N1 flu vaccine is not yet available. Please watch for future communications detailing the offerings of the H1N1 influenza vaccine.

Other Administrative Details

New health care and child care employees and students placed in clinical health care settings, after December 1, 2009, but before April 1, 2010 shall have his or her status for influenza vaccination(s) determined at the time of hire.  If needed, the University shall arrange for the necessary vaccination at no cost to the new faculty/staff/student or he/she will arrange to receive the vaccination from a source other than the University.

Health care and child care employees and students in a clinical health care setting may decline the influenza vaccination for the following reasons:

1. Documented medical contraindication.
   1. According to the Guide to Contraindications to Vaccinations published by the CDC.
2. Documented receipt of the vaccine from a source other than the University.

We thank you in advance for your support. Additional information and updates will be provided as needed.  If you have questions please contact Lori Umberger at LoriUmberger@creighton.edu or at x5848.