Flu Shots at Duke Hit Record High

Gather all Duke employees that have been vaccinated against the flu virus and you could fill the seats in Cameron Indoor Stadium three times over.  

As of Dec. 17, slightly more than 28,000 employees, volunteers and vendors on the Duke campus got a flu vaccine this season. That's 6,229 more than last year, and 10,321 more than three years ago. 

"It has been an unprecedented success, and we are grateful for everyone's efforts to keep Duke safe for patients and employees," said Carol Epling, director of Duke's Employee Occupational Health and Wellness (EOHW).  "The more people who are vaccinated, the harder it is for the flu to find a foothold." 

Although North Carolina is reporting a low number of flu cases, there have been four adult flu-related deaths in North Carolina. Flu season typically peaks during January and February. 

The annual flu vaccination campaign began Sept. 18 with a 24-hour "vaccination blitz" at Duke University Health System, where 14,060 employees got the shot.  Employee Occupational Health and Wellness staff also offered vaccinations at various locations throughout the University during October and November. 

For the first time this year, the influenza vaccination was a condition of continued employment for Duke University Health System employees and those with patient contact in the School of Medicine and School of Nursing.  Approximately 70 other hospitals in North Carolina have made vaccination mandatory in an effort to protect patients from the influenza virus.  Of the 20,525 employees required to be vaccinated or to provide documentation for medical or religious exemption, two employees were dismissed from employment as a result of failing to meet the requirement, according to Epling.

Though flu vaccinations are vital, they are only one part of Duke's flu response. To reduce the chances of transmitting illness, employees are still encouraged to wash hands frequently and stay at home if they are sick until 24 hours after a fever ends. 

"If you haven't gotten a flu shot this year, it's not too late to get vaccinated to protect yourself and the people around you," Epling said.

Beth Fox, director of the Academic Advising Center, knows that with hundreds of students passing through her office each day, she is at risk of catching and passing on the flu. She appreciates the efforts Duke takes each year to offer free vaccinations at locations such as Lilly Library on East Campus, where she went for her shot in October. 

"To be honest, I'd probably forget my flu shot if Duke didn't do such a great job of making it available and reminding us of when and where to get it," Fox said.