Dear Johns Hopkins Community:
Johns Hopkins is requiring all students, trainees, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, and staff to receive an annual influenza (flu) vaccine and to upload proof to the Vaccine Management System (VMS), or obtain an approved medical or religious exception, by Nov. 19. The inactivated flu vaccine (injectable) will be administered to students and employees at a series of on-site JHU clinics, or you can get vaccinated at your local pharmacy or by your primary care physician. Please refer to the joint JHU/JHM policy on the policy website.
On-Campus Vaccinations
Vaccinations at Walgreens and Other Locations
All JHU faculty, staff, and students can get the flu vaccination for free at any Walgreens location. You must either print out the voucher using the VMS website or display it on your phone at the time of service. Click “flu voucher” to download it. No appointment is necessary, and walk-ins are allowed.
For on-site flu clinics and Walgreens flu vaccinations, please complete this vaccination form prior to your appointment and bring your JHU identification with you.
If you get the flu vaccine at Walgreens or anywhere other than at a JHU on-site Occupational and Student Health vaccine clinic, proof of immunization must be uploaded to the VMS. This applies even if the doctor/doctor’s office that gave you the vaccine is within the Johns Hopkins network. At a minimum, the submission should include a clear scan or photo of a record that includes your name, the date of vaccination and the vaccination location (e.g Walgreens, CVS, or the name of the physicians office). It may take up to two weeks for your outside flu vaccination to be processed and for you to receive a confirmation email. You can check your status in the VMS at any time.
Johns Hopkins Occupational Health Services will not be offering flu vaccines to spouses or domestic partners for the 2021–22 flu season. The flu vaccine is free with most health insurance at any outpatient pharmacy, healthcare provider office, or city/county health department clinic.
Exceptions
Anyone requesting a religious or medical exception to the flu vaccine must submit their request to the VMS by Nov. 9. It may take up to two weeks for your exception request to be reviewed. More information on policies and exceptions can be found on the Johns Hopkins Medicine website.
Note that the mandate outlined in this message does not apply to JHU employees who are 100% remote—that is, those who never visit any Johns Hopkins facility or conduct business in any public setting on Johns Hopkins’ behalf.
JHM and APL
JHU School of Medicine employees, postdoctoral trainees, and students fall under Johns Hopkins Medicine’s mandate and policies. Requirements differ slightly, including that even personnel who work 100% remotely must get the flu vaccine or obtain an approved medical or religious exception. Please refer to JHM’s guidance for more information. For APL staff members who work, teach or attend classes at other JHU or JHM campuses, the mandates for each campus apply and can supersede APL guidelines.
Having as many students, faculty, and staff as possible vaccinated for both COVID-19 and the flu, in conjunction with other health and hygiene policies, is vital to the safety of our community. If you have any questions that are not answered on our websites, you can email [email protected]. We appreciate your support.
Sincerely,
Sunil Kumar
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Laurent Heller
Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration
Kevin Shollenberger
Vice Provost for Student Health and Well-Being
Interim Vice Provost for Student Affairs
Meredith Stewart
Interim Vice President for Human Resources
Executive Director, Total Rewards