University announces details of flu vaccine requirement for 2024-25

Johns Hopkins University is once again requiring students, faculty, and staff to receive an annual influenza vaccine this fall. This year's deadline to upload proof of receiving the vaccine is Friday, Nov. 15.

Community messages were sent Friday to university faculty and staff by Executive Vice Provost Stephen Gange and Interim Vice President of Human Resources Meredith Stewart, and to students by Vice Provost for Student Health and Well-Being Kevin Shollenberger and Chief Medical Director for Student Health and Well-Being Roanna Kessler.

"A flu vaccination remains the best way to protect against infection and reduce disease severity," the administrators wrote. "Receiving a flu shot before the end of October offers optimal protection during the respiratory virus season."

The requirement for the 2024-25 academic year extends a mandate that has been in place since 2020. The mandate applies to those who are working or studying in-person on a JHU campus; it does not apply to affiliates who are 100% remote—that is, those who never visit any Johns Hopkins facility or conduct business in any public setting on Johns Hopkins' behalf. Johns Hopkins Medicine and Applied Physics Laboratory employees are subject to their respective policies and procedures. School of Medicine affiliates follow JHM policies and procedures.

Instructions for uploading proof of vaccination vary by school and affiliation, as well as a list of upcoming clinics at Hopkins locations, are posted at the university's mandatory flu vaccine webpage.

Where to get a flu shot

• On-site clinics: The flu vaccine will be available to students and employees at a series of on-site JHU clinics listed on the mandatory vaccine flu policy webpage. Affiliates attending walk-in clinics should complete the required form in advance and bring it with them along with their JHU identification.
• Occupational Health clinics at Homewood campus and East Baltimore. Please bring your Hopkins ID.
• Walgreens: JHU faculty and staff can get the flu vaccination for free at any Walgreens location using the JHU flu vaccine voucher, available at the Vaccine Management System (VMS). Walgreens clinics will automatically upload your proof of vaccination to the VMS.
• Pharmacies and doctor's offices: Affiliates can get vaccinated at local pharmacy or by their primary care physician; a co-pay may apply to your provider visit.

Proof of vaccination

If you receive the flu vaccine anywhere other than at a JHU-sponsored vaccine clinic or at Walgreens with your flu voucher, you must provide proof of immunization. This applies even if the doctor/doctor's office that gave you the vaccine is within the Johns Hopkins network. At a minimum, the submission should include a clear scan or photo of a record that includes your name, the date of vaccination, and the vaccination location (e.g., Giant, CVS, or the name of the physician's office). If you didn't get a receipt and you got your vaccine in Maryland, you can download proof of your flu shot from the Maryland myIR.com website.

Exceptions

Anyone requesting a religious or medical exception to the flu vaccine must submit their request by Thursday, Oct. 31. There is no need to reapply if you had a religious exception approved last year. For more information, university affiliates should visit the mandatory flu vaccine website; Johns Hopkins Medicine affiliates should visit the flu campaign website.