(A) Introduction
Influenza is a significant public health concern. Annual
influenza (flu) vaccination during designated influenza season is the best
protection against influenza transmission.
(B) Purpose of policy
University of Toledo is committed to providing a safe and
healthy workplace. Our goal is to protect employees, students and the broader
community from influenza infection.
(C) Scope
Annual influenza vaccination is a requirement for all
university of Toledo (UToledo) employees except to the extent they are
specifically governed by a separate bargaining agreement or university policy.
Recommendations for employees within this procedure are in accordance with the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccination recommendations.
Employees who are working one hundred per cent remotely and have no occasion to
come to campus are exempt from this requirement.
(D) Procedure
(1) Communication will be shared throughout
the university of Toledo's campuses regarding the vaccination clinic schedule.
Employees may also visit the influenza website for vaccination opportunities at
https://influenza.utoledo.edu/
(2) Registration
(a) Employees who want to receive the
vaccination at a UToledo site must register to receive the vaccination.
Preregistration is completed at
https://influenza.utoledo.edu/.
(b) Employee must submit proof of vaccination
by uploading an image file that clearly has the individual's name and date of
vaccination to the vaccine registry at
http://utvaccinereg.utoledo.edu/.
(3) Once the seasonal vaccine is
available, proof of vaccination is to be documented annually, prior to the
first of December, unless an exemption has been granted.
(a) Vaccination exemptions: exemptions to
influenza vaccination may be granted for documented medical contraindications
or sincerely held religious beliefs. Medical exemption - standard criteria for
medical exemptions will be established based upon recommendations from the
"Centers for Disease Control and Prevention" (CDC).
(b) Complete and submit the request for
medical exemption from influenza vaccination to
http://utvaccinereg.utoledo.edu/
preferably prior to October sixteenth of each influenza season as there must be
sufficient time for review by the first of December.
(c) Religious exemption may be granted if
vaccination compromises sincerely held religious beliefs - Complete and submit
the request for religious exemption from influenza vaccination to
http://utvaccinereg.utoledo.edu/
preferably prior to the sixteenth of October of each influenza season as there
must be sufficient time for review by the first of December.
(d) Decisions determining eligibility for
exemption are final and subject to appeal only when new supporting evidence for
exemption need is provided.
(e)
Employees who applied for an exemption will be notified by the reviewing entity
within fourteen business days of submission as to whether or not their
exemption has been granted or denied.
(f) If an exemption is denied, employees may
appeal that decision by submitting additional new information to
http://utvaccinereg.utoledo.edu/
using the influenza vaccination decision appeal form within ten business days
from the date on the denial notice. If the denial notice is issued with less
than ten days remaining until the deadline for policy compliance, the appeal
should be submitted immediately to allow time for review and communication of
the decision before the compliance deadline.
(4) Employees who are on an
approved leave of absence prior to the first of December are required to be
compliant prior to their return to work date.
(5) Compliance tracking: Compliance will be
tracked electronically and shared with the supervisor.
Failure to comply with this policy by providing proof of
vaccination or by obtaining an approved exemption by the established deadline
may result in progressive disciplinary action.
References:
"Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2019)." Influenza.
Retrieved on 9/28/20 from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/index.html
Grohskopf LA, Alyanak E, Ferdinands JM, et al. "Prevention and
Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices", United States, 2021-22 Influenza Season.
MMWR Recomm Rep 2021;70(No. RR-5):1-28.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr7005a1
Notes
Ohio Admin. Code
3364-5-16
Effective:
9/30/2021
Promulgated Under:
111.15
Statutory Authority: 3364
Rule Amplifies:
3364
