Texas Children’s flu vaccine requirement

September 23, 2024

Your ongoing commitment to our patients, members, their families and each other continues to make a difference. We will continue to lead the way in caring for the communities we serve by requiring all Texas Children’s team members, inclusive of our employees, Baylor faculty and staff, contractors and volunteers to receive the flu vaccine this fall. 

What’s new

 

  • Exemptions. Medical or religious exemptions obtained from Texas Children’s last year will automatically carry over to this season, so there is no need to recertify, unless the exemption was based on a temporary medical condition. Details on how to submit a new request is included below for all team members, including those who joined Texas Children’s after April 1, 2024 and want to request a medical or religious exemption.
  • Deadline for compliance. You have until Thursday, Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. to receive the flu vaccination or have an approved exemption to maintain employment at Texas Children’s.
  • Connect feature. A link to the Employee Health virtual assistant tool is available in the Current Initiatives section on the Connect homepage. 

What you need to know

  • Vaccine availability. There are multiple ways to receive a flu vaccine.
    • Texas Children’s Pediatrics (TCP). Team members can schedule their flu vaccine during their child’s onsite appointment at any TCP, but you will need to submit proof through the Employee Health virtual assistant tool.
    • Flu vaccine events. North Austin Campus, The Medical Center, West Campus, The Woodlands and TCHP will offer free flu vaccinations starting Tuesday, Sept. 24.
    • Outside provider. You can receive the vaccine through your doctor or pharmacy but will need to submit proof through the Employee Health virtual assistant tool.
    • Employee Health. One-on-one appointments can be scheduled starting Sept. 24.
  • Baylor flu vaccine requirement. Baylor team members must also complete the Baylor attestation process by Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. if they received the vaccine outside of Baylor, including at a Texas Children’s flu vaccine event, through the BCM Flu Vaccine app. Baylor team members will need their ECA to access the app. Those team members who cannot access the app can also send their vaccine record to vaccinecompliance@bcm.edu and the attestation information will be entered on their behalf. Non-BCM members of our Medical Staff will receive attestation instructions in a separate email from the Medical Staff Office.
     
  • Employee Health virtual assistant tool. Visit texaschildrens.org/employeevaccines (you may need to refresh your browser) on or off the network to submit proof and access exemption request forms, consent form, flu event schedules and FAQs.
    • Submit proof. If you receive the flu vaccine at a TCP, doctor’s office or pharmacy, you will need to submit proof of vaccination via the Employee Health virtual assistant tool, which is accessible off the network. Please upload a photo of the flu vaccination record received during your appointment. Please ensure the writing is legible and includes your full legal name and birth date. A flu vaccine receipt from a pharmacy will not be accepted as proof of a flu vaccine administration record. You will not need to submit proof of vaccination if you receive the vaccine at a Texas Children’s flu vaccine event or in a one-on-one appointment with Employee Health.
    • Exemptions. Employees who do not already have an exemption received through Texas Children’s last year will need to request a medical or religious exemption from the requirement by Monday, Oct. 14 at 5 p.m. Approved exemptions are subject to additional safety measures or requirements. Exempt employees will receive notice of any additional requirements as part of their exemption.
    • Consent form. This form is required for those who wish to receive their flu vaccine at a Texas Children’s flu event or through a one-on-one appointment with Employee Health. It can be completed at an event or through the Employee Health virtual assistant.
    • Event schedule. Receive your vaccine at one of the vaccine events throughout Texas Children’s.
    • FAQs. Access a detailed FAQ document.
       
  • COVID-19 co-administration. Employee Health will offer the latest COVID-19 vaccine in limited quantity. Receiving this vaccine is optional. We’re waiting on receipt of these vaccines; upon availability, team members can schedule a one-on-one co-administration appointment.
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