Thousands receive flu shot – have you?

September 29, 2020

STAR Kids Program Lead Educator Lynette Winters said getting her flu shot every year is a no brainer.

“It’s like exercising and eating healthy,” Winters said. “It’s for prevention. It’s a measure we can take to try and keep ourselves healthy.”

Opera Wagner-Ross, director of member services with Texas Children’s Health Plan, agreed and said she gets her flu shot every year to protect herself, her family, her coworkers and anyone else she might encounter, but that this year, with the pandemic, it’s even more important.

“The last thing I want to do is get really, really sick with either of the two,” she said. “So, I’m here to do my part to make sure I’m safe as well as my coworkers and family.”

More than 5,000 employees have taken the lead in getting their flu shots over the past couple of weeks. If you are one of them, thank you for stepping up. If you haven’t yet gotten your shot, make a plan today and get it as soon as possible.

View photos of your colleagues getting their flu shots below.

Getting your flu vaccine is the first and most important step you can take to prevent transmission of the flu and protect yourself and others – and it’s even more critical this year, with the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing and health care systems around the country closely conserving resources.

Employee Health will administer flu vaccines at no cost to Texas Children’s employees; Baylor College of Medicine employees working at Texas Children’s facilities; Morrison, Crothall contract employees; and volunteers at Texas Children’s.

All you need to know about making your flu shot plan can be found at texaschildrensbenefits.org/flu. On this site, you will be able to:

  • View information on the new and convenient ways to receive the flu vaccine. These options include attending an on-site or car-side event at Texas Children’s; visiting the Texas Children’s Pediatrics practice where your child receives care; and getting your shot from your primary care provider or a retail pharmacy. Each option is also detailed on this flyer, which you may spot around your campus.
  • View our robust on-site event schedule, which includes multiple dates and locations across the system to better accommodate our team members’ needs.
  • Schedule a car-side appointment or one-on-one flu appointment online.
  • Complete consent forms online in support of a touchless experience.
  • Review answers to the most frequently asked flu questions.
  • Upload proof of vaccination with a mobile device.

“By getting vaccinated against the flu, you are helping to keep our patients and their families, our entire workforce and our community safe,” said Vice President of Human Resources Jermaine Monroe. “It’s the right thing to do for everyone involved, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other medical experts agree that being vaccinated against the flu is more important this year than ever – not only to reduce the risk of infection, but to help conserve health care resources. So, please, if you haven’t already, make a plan and get your flu shot.”

For a step-by-step guide to making your flu shot plan for this year, visit texaschildrensbenefits.org/flu.