The University of Miami is aware of the recent advisory issued by the Centers for Disease Control reporting widespread influenza activity throughout the United States, including Florida. The University has an institutional culture that expects its employees, and in particular its health care workers and students with direct patient contact, to undergo vaccination. Influenza vaccination protects not only the vaccine recipients but also family members and, in the case of vaccinated health care workers, their patients.

The University highly encourages all employees who have not yet done so to get a free flu shot, which is still being offered at employee health offices on the Coral Gables and medicall school campuses without an appointment. Flu shots are available at the following locations and times:

• Healthy ’Canes Employee Clinic on the Coral Gables campus, McKnight Building, 5807 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Suite 109, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information about this location, visit www.healthycanesclinic.com or call 305-284-WELL (9355).

• Healthy ’Canes Employee Clinic at the Miller School of Medicine, Professional Arts Center, Suite 708, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information about this location, visit www.healthycanesclinic.com or call 305-243-WELL (9355).

• University of Miami Hospital, West Building, at the UHealth Occupational Health/Worker’s Compensation Clinic, Suite 502, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. There also will be several opportunities for physicians to get vaccinated outside the physicians’ dining room. Call 305-689-5891 or 305-689-COMP (2667) for more information.

• Sylvester/UMHC Employee Health Office in the Hope Lodge, Suite 202, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 305-243-4201.

• Dominion Tower, Suite 405, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 305-243-8743.

Employee Health Issues
Employees with influenza-like illnesses (defined by the Florida Department of Health as fever, temperature of 100 F [37.8 C] or greater, and cough and/or a sore throat) should stay home for seven days after the onset of symptoms or until symptom-free for 24 hours (whichever is longer). In order for employees to return to work, a note from their treating provider is required. The note must state that: 1) the employee was sick and therefore unable to work during the specified duration of his/her leave, and 2) the employee is cleared to return to work. Employees should only return to work BEFORE this time if the employee receives influenza medication and is completely symptom free in less than seven days and has written clearance by a health care provider.

If the employee comes to work with influenza symptoms or develops symptoms while at work, the following procedures must be followed:

a) Place the employee in a room by him or herself.

b) If the employee needs to go into a common area, he or she should cover coughs/sneezes with a tissue or wear a facemask if available and tolerable.

c) Notify the employee’s supervisor as soon as possible.

d) Send the employee home as soon as possible.

e) The person assisting the ill employee should wear a facemask and practice appropriate hand hygiene.

Employees with a febrile respiratory illness should contact their supervisor, report symptoms to Employee Health, go home and, if necessary, contact their doctor. For more information, please visit the CDC website.