College of Medicine Pandemic Response highlights flu vaccine
College of Medicine leaders updated faculty, staff and students on Oct. 1 about the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
This Week’s Updates:
Get Your Flu Vaccine
Flu season is here, and Penn State Health is concerned about the potential for sicker patients and even more strain on hospitals already busy caring for COVID-19 patients and many other health care needs. Employees can protect themselves, their families and their coworkers by getting a flu shot.
Penn State Health is making it easy for employees to access flu shots by making them available in every region. Additionally, employees may get their flu shot at any community provider and provide proof of vaccination through the new employee medical record system, Penn State Health ReadySet (see more information below).
To get a flu shot, Penn State Health College of Medicine employees must:
- Sign up for Penn State Health ReadySet. This includes those who intend to get their flu shot through Penn State Health.
- Complete ReadySet health surveys and consent forms before getting their flu shot.
See all available locations for flu shots and sign up for an appointment, where required, here. Penn State Health Medical Group, Academic and Community Practice Divisions, will have flu champions who will help coordinate employee flu shots on-site.
Penn State Health has set a flu vaccine compliance rate of 100%. Health care workers should only decline the flu vaccine for a documented medical contraindication − a condition where the vaccine could cause harm. Wearing the required mask for COVID-19 is not an acceptable reason to decline the flu vaccine. See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention flu resources to get the facts.
New ReadySet Electronic Health Record System
Penn State Health has launched a new, cloud-based electronic health record system for employees. Called Penn State Health ReadySet, the system will replace multiple paper-based employee health processes with streamlined reporting and storage of work-related health records for employees and volunteers.
The new system will help Penn State Health administer and record employee flu vaccinations and COVID-19 vaccine boosters, which will begin on Monday, Oct. 4. The system will also help the organization prepare for any federal requirements regarding mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for health care workers.
Emails from ReadySet were sent to all Penn State Health and College of Medicine employees on Sept. 30, from ReadySet_EmployeeHealth_DoNotReply@pennstatehealth.psu.edu, with a direct link to the ReadySet platform. Once in the ReadySet system, employees should complete any actions assigned to them under the “Health Surveys” section. Actions required vary by employee, entity and the health record data available.
Employees who log in to ReadySet will have access to their workplace health record, even from their mobile device. ReadySet also will notify patient-facing employees when they’re due for any occupational health requirements, such as vaccinations, tuberculosis tests or mask-fit testing.
Instructions on how to use ReadySet can be found in the job aid on the Infonet or by calling the IS Service Desk at 833-577-HELP (4357).
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approved Pfizer COVID-19 Booster Shot
On Sept. 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a single-dose booster shot for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, to be administered at least six months after the completion of the primary series for:
- Individuals 65 years of age and older
- Individuals 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19
- Individuals 18 through 64 years of age whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19, including severe COVID-19
Booster shots have only been approved for those who originally received the Pfizer vaccine, not Moderna or Johnson & Johnson.
What is the Difference Between a Third Shot and a Booster Shot?
A third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine is part of the primary vaccine series that some immunocompromised patients need to have a better response to the vaccination. Patients can receive a third dose 28 days after their second. This is different from a booster shot, which provides a boost to the initially sufficient vaccine-induced immune response, as it wanes over time.
Locations for Third Shots and Booster Shots
Employees and students who would like to schedule a COVID-19 third shot or a booster shot should contact their local pharmacy to make an appointment.
There are several locations close to Penn State College of Medicine where third shots and booster shots are available:
- Rite Aid – 337 W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey, PA 17033
- CVS Pharmacy – 130 Hockersville Road, Hershey, PA 17033
- Giant – 1250 Cocoa Ave., Hershey, PA 17033
- Weis Pharmacy – 1130 Mae St., Hummelstown, PA 17036
Employees and students can view other locations at vaccines.gov.
Vault Testing is Available
Faculty, staff and students can utilize Vault testing if they are concerned about or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. This applies only to those who have reported they are fully vaccinated; it does not apply to those who are required to participate in weekly COVID-19 testing. Faculty, staff and students may order a Vault Health mail-in test kit.
Changes in Standards for Human Subjects Research
On Sept. 28, an email was sent to all research faculty and staff, as well as vice chairs for research, highlighting new changes in the standards for therapeutic human subjects research. Please refer to the email from the vice dean for research affairs and visit this link to read the new guidance. (Note: Please use Penn State two-factor authentication to access the link.)
Social Gatherings at the College of Medicine
Everyone is reminded that serving food at indoor events in the College of Medicine is still prohibited. If food is considered essential, it should be provided in a covered “to-go” container, which can be transported to a safe location for later consumption. Group meals in hallway spaces are also still suspended. All gatherings within the College, whether social or academic in nature, need to abide by the maximum room capacities for the venue.
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