Flu Vaccine Requirements

RIT is requiring that students, faculty, and staff who will be on campus for any reason receive a seasonal flu vaccination by January 25, 2021, the start of Spring Semester. Flu shots administered in the United States after August 1, 2020, are being accepted.

Getting the seasonal flu immunization vaccine is one of the most important things we can do for our health and others this year. Experts recommend flu shots for nearly every demographic—children, adults, and elderly individuals. This year, in the midst of a global pandemic, immunization against the flu is even more important. Symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu can be similar, and the two illnesses may be difficult to distinguish. The convergence of the expected flu season along with COVID-19 may present individuals with potential for severe respiratory illnesses.

For Students

RIT is partnering with Wegmans for on-campus flu vaccine clinics. Students are encouraged to get the vaccine at the on-campus Wegmans clinics. If your insurance is not accepted by Wegmans, you can get the vaccine at the Student Health Center for $20.

Students must provide proof of having received the seasonal flu immunization vaccine by submitting documentation to the Wellness Portal. Proof must include full name, date of birth, and the date in which the flu shot was administered.

For Faculty and Staff

RIT is partnering with Wegmans for on-campus flu vaccine clinics. The clinics are on-campus (for employees) as well as at three Wegmans store locations (for employees and family members) .

Faculty and staff should provide proof by using the RIT Employee Self Serve portal. Instructions are available on the HR website. Proof must include name, date, and documentation that it was a flu shot.

Frequently Asked Questions

RIT has the responsibility to provide a safe working and learning environment for students, staff, and faculty. RIT has determined that the flu vaccine is necessary to provide this safe environment. During this pandemic, several agencies, including but not limited to, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have provided guidance on the activities permitted during this public health crisis. This guidance provides support for mandatory requirements for testing and vaccinations during the pandemic.

If you get a flu vaccine at a pharmacy (other than the Wegmans-specified times/dates), the RRH Family Medicine Practice on the RIT campus, or at your physician’s office, the provider will submit the claim to your insurance. If you are covered by RIT’s medical plan, then the cost is fully covered. If you are covered by insurance other than the RIT medical plan, then there may or may not be a cost to you, depending on that plan’s terms.

Employees not scheduled to work on campus are not required to obtain a flu shot at this time. However, if an employee’s work situation changes, then they must obtain a vaccination prior to reporting to campus. A vaccination is not required if employees will be on campus for a brief visit no more than once a month (e.g. to pick up mail)​ or if they are visiting campus and remaining outdoors.​

Students who have completed all of the requirements allowing them to circulate on campus may come to campus for a flu shot. Students are encouraged to get the vaccine at the on-campus flu vaccine clinics. If a student’s insurance is not accepted by Wegmans, they can get the vaccine at the Student Health Center for $20.

Students may opt to get the flu shot at a local retail pharmacy or when they return home for winter break; however, there is really no need to wait. Most insurance plans fully cover this vaccine, so you will likely be able to submit the receipt for a full reimbursement.

Students attending the Wegmans flu shot clinics on campus should bring a prescription card and photo ID.

RIT is requiring that students, faculty, and staff who will be on campus for any reason receive a seasonal flu vaccination by January 25, 2021, the start of spring semester.

Students must provide proof of having received the seasonal flu immunization vaccine by submitting documentation to the Wellness Portal using the Influenza Vaccine (Flu) Requirement form. 

Proof of a flu shot must include full name, date of birth, and the date in which the flu shot was received. This information should be in the vaccination paperwork, but insurance payment receipts that include this information will also be accepted. It is recommended that students take a picture of their vaccination paperwork as soon as they receive their flu shot to upload for documentation. A receipt of payment from the provider of the vaccine, such as a pharmacy credit card receipt, will not be accepted.

If you have already received the flu shot and discarded the documentation, reach out to your insurance company or the location where the flu shot was administered for a copy of the necessary documentation.

Submissions will be reviewed and approved by the Student Health Center. Students can check their compliance status on the homepage of the Wellness Portal, allowing up to five business days for processing. A green check mark indicates that flu shot documentation has been reviewed and approved. A red X indicates that flu shot documentation has either not been submitted or is still under review. If there is an issue with the documentation upload, the Student Health Center will send students a secure message in the Wellness Portal with details on further action. 

Flu shots dated on or after August 1, 2020, will be accepted. Flu shots administered before August 1, 2020, will not be accepted.

The on-campus flu vaccine clinics are for employees only, but the clinics at the three Wegmans stores are available for family members.

For students with a medical or religious accommodation, you will be receiving a secure message through the health portal that we have a file of record for you.

Faculty and staff may apply for an exception to the seasonal flu vaccination requirement for a documented medical condition or disability, or a sincerely held religious or philosophical belief or practice. While we believe it is in the best interests of our community – individual members and as a whole – for all of us to be vaccinated against seasonal flu this year, we respect religious and strongly held philosophical objections as excused exceptions. Faculty or staff members who wish to apply for an exemption to the flu shot requirement should complete and submit the appropriate form. Questions can be directed to your Human Resources Manager.

Though rare, allergic reactions can happen to vaccines and are usually specific to a particular vaccine and formulation. Students should contact the Student Health Center to review your situation to confirm it is safe for you to get this year’s flu vaccine.

Many flu vaccines no longer contain egg protein. You can safely get a flu vaccine, but be sure to advise the provider you need an egg-free option.

All faculty, staff, and students are responsible for getting a flu shot before coming to campus. They must provide evidence of a flu shot, or they will not be able to circulate on campus for any reason.

Only U.S. administered flu vaccines will be accepted. Students traveling from abroad may receive a flu shot on campus at the Student Health Center or at a local retail pharmacy.