President Donna E. Shalala received her flu shot on Monday, setting an example for all UM employees to follow.

With flu season only days away, University of Miami employees will be able to get free flu shots at the Health, Wellness and Benefits Fairs that start Monday.

Employees will need to complete a Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Consent Form to get a flu shot. You can download the form here. Or should you forget to fill one out, the forms will be available at the Health, Wellness and Benefits Fairs.

If you should miss the opportunity to get a free flu shot at any of the fairs, you will still be able to get the vaccine at designated locations on the Coral Gables, Miller School of Medicine, and Rosenstiel School campuses. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety’s Employee Health Office will soon release a schedule of locations and times where employees can receive a flu shot. Visit the Employee Health Office website and click on the “Seasonal Flu Vaccine” link located on the right for updates as well as a copy of the Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Consent Form and helpful “What You Need to Know” information on the flu. Also visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Seasonal Influenza (Flu) website, which provides a wealth of information on flu basics, prevention, free resources, and more.

All people 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine. Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of severe influenza and their close contacts, including health care personnel and close contacts of children younger than 6 months. People who got the 2009 H1N1 (pandemic) influenza vaccine or had pandemic flu in 2009 should still get the 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine.

Joe Natoli, senior vice president for business and finance and chief financial officer, also got a flu shot on Monday.

The schedule for the Health, Wellness and Benefits Fairs is as follows:

Coral Gables campus
UM Fieldhouse, Multipurpose Room (Adjacent to BankUnited Center)
Monday, October 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, October 5 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Rosenstiel School Campus
The Commons Cafeteria
Wednesday, October 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Miller School of Medicine campus
Clinical Research Building Garage/Medical Wellness Center
Thursday, October 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday, October 8 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

University of Miami Hospital (UMH)
Seminar Center A and B
Monday, October 18 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.