Vice President Martin's message regarding flu vaccines
The following message from Anna Martin, vice president for administration and chair of the Emergency Management Team, was sent to the campus community on Sept. 8, 2009. - Ed.
Faculty, Staff and Students,
The annual flu vaccine (not to be confused with the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine) is now available.
FOR STUDENTS: The Student Health Center will hold an annual flu vaccine clinic for all students tomorrow, Wednesday, September 9, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm in the Sadler Center. The cost of the vaccine is $20. Additional information is available on the Student Happenings website.
FOR FACULTY and STAFF: The Commonwealth's Department of Human Resources has released the following information on the State Employee Flu Shot Program:
Free flu vaccine will be available from now until the end of flu season at specific participating COVA Care, COVA Connect and COVA HDHP plan chain and independent retail pharmacies. In addition, individual agencies may make arrangements to have a local pharmacy that participates with the state plans come onsite to provide flu vaccine at no cost. There is no information available yet on H1N1 vaccine. We will provide details as developments occur.
Pharmacy Program: Any plan member, including employees, non-Medicare eligible retiree group members, covered spouses and dependents, may present a plan ID card to receive the flu vaccine at no cost. A list of pharmacies, flyers and a Q&A for each plan will be available on the DHRM Web site the week of September 7 at www.dhrm.virginia.gov. Note the tabs with names of chains and independents. We will update the lists as changes occur.
o For COVA Care: Pharmacy chains and independents this year include CVS, Giant, K-Mart, Kroger, Rite Aid, Safeway, SuperValu, Ukrop's and independent pharmacies in EPIC and Leadernet, among others.
o For COVA Connect: CVS, Costco, Farm Fresh, K-Mart, Kroger, Rite Aid and Target, along with certain independent pharmacies.
o For COVA HDHP: CVS, Farm Fresh, Medicine Shoppe, Ukrop's and Walgreens, among others.
Plan members should also check with their local pharmacy to be sure it is participating in the program. The corporate offices of participating pharmacy chains will communicate to their store locations according to their specific corporate communications guidelines. Each pharmacy location sets up its own clinics and procedures, which may differ within the pharmacy chain.
Flu Shots under the Medical Benefit: All COVA Care, COVA Connect and COVA HDHP members may receive flu vaccine at no cost in their doctor's office covered under the medical routine wellness benefit. Kaiser Permanente HMO plan members have access to free flu vaccine from their physician or at participating medical centers.
The College's Office of Human Resources is making plans to hold a flu clinic on site as they do each year. The date of the clinic will be announced shortly.
Additional information may be found on the College's flu website at www.wm.edu/flu under announcements.
We encourage you to take advantage of these vaccine programs.
Anna Martin
