Johns Hopkins University is once again requiring students, faculty, and staff to receive an annual influenza vaccine. This year's deadline to upload proof of receiving the vaccine is Friday, Nov. 21.
Community messages were sent Sept. 12 to university faculty and staff by Stephen Gange, executive vice provost, and Meredith Stewart, vice president for human resources; and to students by Kevin Shollenberger, vice provost for student health and well-being, and Roanna Kessler, chief medical director for student health and well-being.
"A flu vaccination remains the best way to protect against infection and reduce the severity of disease," the administrators wrote. Receiving a flu shot before the end of October offers optimal protection during the respiratory virus season, they said.
The requirement for the 2025-26 academic year extends a mandate that has been in place since 2020. The mandate applies to those who are working or studying 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.
How to get your flu vaccine
Flu vaccinations are available at on-site clinics being held throughout the fall in partnership with Walgreens.
Faculty and staff can find information about clinics on the Johns Hopkins 2025-26 Flu Campaign webpage; registering ahead of time will expedite the on-site process. Student information is on the Student Health & Well-Being Primary Care webpage.
If you choose to receive your flu vaccine at a private health care provider or a different pharmacy, you must submit documentation to the Vaccine Management System, or VMS.
Proof of vaccination
Faculty and staff receiving their flu vaccination at any of the Hopkins flu clinics will automatically have their vaccination records submitted to the VMS and do not need to take any further action. Those receiving their vaccination elsewhere can find instructions for uploading proof of vaccination on the flu campaign webpage.
Instructions for student submissions are on the Student Health & Well-Being Primary Care webpage.
Exceptions
Anyone requesting a religious or medical exception to the flu vaccine must submit their request by Friday, Oct. 31.
For more information, faculty and staff should go to the flu campaign webpage and click on How to Comply. Students requesting exceptions should go here.
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