Note: This letter originally appeared as an email sent to the Hopkins community on October 21, 2021.
Dear Johns Hopkins Community:
Students, trainees, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, and staff have until Nov. 19 to get their mandatory annual influenza (flu) vaccine and to upload proof to the Vaccine Management System (VMS). Individuals seeking a medical or religious exception must apply through the VMS by Nov. 9.
Many thanks to the 40% of all JHU employees and the 33% of students who have registered their flu shot so far. It’s important for all of us to do our part to keep each other safe during flu season, and getting the shot is a requirement for spending time on our campuses.
Links to the official policy, ways to schedule a flu shot, and information about exceptions are online. While a few spots remain at JHU on-site clinics, the flu vaccine is free with most health insurance at any outpatient pharmacy, health care provider office, or city/county health department clinic. JHU affiliates may also use a voucher for a free, JHU-sponsored vaccination at any Walgreens. To use the Walgreens voucher, you must either print out the voucher (available on the VMS website) or display it on your phone at the time of service. Click “flu voucher” to download it. Appointments may be necessary, though some locations allow walk-ins.
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.
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. JHU School of Medicine employees, postdoctoral trainees, and students fall under Johns Hopkins Medicine’s mandate and policies, which differ. 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.
If you have any questions that are not answered on our websites, you can email vms@jhu.edu. 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