Free Flu Shots for Children of Duke Faculty, Staff

Duke is making it easier for children of Duke employees who are covered by a Duke health plan to receive a flu shot at no charge to the employee.Starting Sept. 1 and lasting through Oct. 10, certain Duke Primary Care locations in Durham, Wake, Alamance, Orange and Granville counties are offering extended and weekend hours to accommodate children of Duke employees who need the annual flu vaccine. There is no copay for the shot or visit unless the patient sees a doctor.The effort is a new initiative by Duke Employee Occupational Health & Wellness (EOHW), Duke Benefits and Duke Primary Care to address challenges employees may experience when trying to take their children to a doctor’s office during work hours, said Carol Epling, EOHW director.Only 25 percent of children of Duke employees who are covered by a Duke health plan were vaccinated against the flu last year, she said. “It’s so vital to have children vaccinated to limit their risk of illness and limit the risk of spreading the illness to others in their family and in the community,” Epling said.Many Duke Primary Care locations will be open as early as 7 a.m. and remain open as late as 8 p.m. on weekdays. On certain Saturdays, locations will be open as well to administer flu shots. Find the full schedule online.Other dependents on an employee’s health plan, such as spouses and partners, can also visit the Duke Primary Care locations during the extended hours or participating retail pharmacies to receive a flu shot with no copay. Duke employees are encouraged to make an appointment for their dependents with Duke Primary Care by calling 1-855-372-1981 and choosing a convenient clinic location and time. The toll-free number is available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. Walk-ins are allowed but may require a longer wait time. Nurses and medical assistants will administer the shots.Staff and faculty are asked to get their free flu shot during the campus “Fight the Flu” campaign, which kicks off Sept. 17. Vaccines will be administered at the Duke Employee Occupational Health & Wellness clinic in the Duke South Red Zone and during roving campus clinics through November. No appointment is necessary. Employees must show a current DukeCard ID. The flu, a potentially deadly illness, most commonly peaks in activity between December and February in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The potential severity of the upcoming flu season is still unpredictable.Last year in North Carolina, the seasonal flu killed 218 people.Visit the Duke “Fight the Flu” website to view the vaccination schedule for Duke faculty and staff, as well as the Duke Primary Care locations with extended hours for dependents.