Flu Shot FAQs

Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2020-2021 to protect yourself and the people around you from flu, and to help reduce the strain on healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of this reason, Emory University is requiring flu shots for those who will be on campus during the spring semester.

All students, faculty and staff who will be on campus for the spring semester are required to get a flu vaccine no later than December 15, 2020.

If you are covered on the Emory medical plan, here are your options:

• OPTION 1 (Recommended): Visit any in-network retail pharmacy such as CVS, Walgreens, Target, Publix, or Kroger. You will need to present your Emory CVS/Caremark prescription drug card (or other insurance card, if you are not covered by Emory’s plan).
• OPTION 2: Get a flu shot as part of your preventive exam at your doctor's office (Tier 1 & Tier 2 Emory medical plan in-network doctors only). Note: if you've already had your annual preventive exam and make an appointment for a flu shot, you may be charged for the visit.

If you are not covered by an Emory medical plan, call the telephone number on the back of your medical plan’s membership card. Or call your doctor, your local pharmacy, or go to www.vaccinefinder.org.

It takes about two weeks for the body to develop immunity from the vaccine so getting a flu vaccine prior to December 15, 2020 gives adequate time for you to develop flu antibodies prior to being on campus for spring semester.

If you are unable to get a flu shot by December 15, get one as soon as possible. You must at minimum, receive a flu vaccine no later than two weeks prior to returning to campus in order to give adequate time to develop flu antibodies.

The requirement of a flu vaccine is only for those who will be on campus in the spring semester. If you are 100% certain you will not come to campus at any time during the spring semester, you are not required to have a flu shot. If you come to campus occasionally, even just to pick up mail, etc., you will need the flu shot. Even if you do not plan to come to campus in the spring, we highly recommend you and your family get a flu vaccination this year to help keep your family and those in our community safe and healthy.

A limited number of onsite flu clinics will be offered the week of December 7 and is only available for those employees who are working on campus. A schedule of events and registration links can be found here. The easiest way to get a flu shot right now is to go to your local pharmacy such as CVS, Publix, Walmart, etc. Many of these offer quick and easy appointments and some even give you a gift card!

No. It is not necessary to provide documentation. As part of the spring onboarding process which will launch January 4, 2021 you will have the opportunity to attest through an online questionnaire that you have had a flu shot.

Yes. Emory University will require all faculty, staff and students who will be on campus in the spring semester, to complete a “spring” onboarding process. Even if you have completed onboarding for fall, you will be required to do it again for spring and this process will include the flu shot requirement. This spring onboarding system will be available January 4, 2021.

The spring onboarding system will be available January 4, 2021.

Yes, there is an exemption process for medical, religious and other reasons.

In the spring onboarding process, employees will be able to attest that they have received a flu shot or to request an exemption.

No. It is not necessary to provide documentation to receive an exemption. Employees will complete an online questionnaire to attest to their need for the exemption. This will be available as part of the spring onboarding process.

Temporary employees have the same onboarding requirements as regular employees, and the seasonal flu vaccination is required. Units should work with contracted employees to ensure they have received a flu shot or they are exempt for religious, medical or other reasons.

No, flu vaccines cannot cause flu illness. This is a common myth. To learn more about this, visit this CDC webpage: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/misconceptions.htm.