Message from the Provost

September 16, 2024

As we enter respiratory virus season, it is our obligation to do our part to protect ourselves as well as our campus community. This obligation  includes getting an annual flu shot. To protect the faculty, staff, students, and patients of East Carolina University against the flu, we expect all faculty, staff and learners across ECU’s health sciences campus and Student Health Services (SHS) to be vaccinated against the flu by November 6, 2024. 

Influenza vaccination is mandatory for all credentialed health care personnel, CSS, DMSS and SHS employees. Individuals who fail to meet this vaccination mandate by the deadline of November 6, may face disciplinary action. Although not mandatory at this time, health science employees and students who are not involved in direct patient care, are strongly encouraged to still get vaccinated because they likely will interact regularly with someone who is. Additionally, during the fall and winter, with the increased prevalence of flu and other respiratory illnesses, voluntary masking is welcomed and encouraged in large group settings.

Employees and students who wish to seek an exemption for medical or religious reasons must submit a request through the approval process. Please visit the exemptions section at Comprehensive Influenza Protection Program for additional details. Requests will be thoroughly reviewed before an exemption is granted. Students seeking an exemption must contact Student Affairs in their respective college, school or department to initiate this process. Please be aware that the CDC no longer considers egg allergies to be a contraindication to receiving the influenza vaccine. CDC recommendations require individuals who were granted exemptions last year to reapply for this year.

Influenza vaccinations can be obtained from any provider source selected by an employee or student. It is the employee or student’s responsibility to submit vaccine documentation through the approved process. Proof of vaccination must be emailed to fluvaccine@ecu.edu, fax to 252-744-2417 or mailed to ECU Prospective Health, Mail Stop 640 Life Sciences Building 188, Greenville, NC 27834. If an employee receives their vaccination at one of our sponsored flu shot clinics, their documentation will be shared with Prospective Health by the sponsoring vaccination team.

The following flu shot clinics for employees and their children are scheduled this fall:

• Tuesday 9/24/24: FluFest Health Science Student Center Porch, 9am-4pm
• Tuesday 10/1/24: ECHI Conference Room A, 9am-4pm
• Tuesday 10/15/24: Dental School, 2312 Auditorium, 9am-4pm
• Tuesday 10/22/24: FluFest, Main Campus Student Center, 9am-4pm

Pediatric nurses will be on site from 2 – 4 p.m. to vaccinate children of any age.

Banner ID number, insurance card and ECU 1 Card are required There is no cost to receive the vaccine if you provide a valid insurance card. Uninsured children and spouses of ECU employees will be offered flu shots at the price of $25 for regular and $70 for high dose.

Additional details on the clinics and annual vaccination program can be found at this website: Comprehensive Influenza Protection Program. If you have additional questions after visiting the website, email them to fluvaccine@ecu.edu.

Thank you for your commitment to this important effort.

Dr. Robin N. Coger
Provost
East Carolina University