- Advocacy
- Flu Prevention
FFF Institutes Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination Policy For 2021-2022 Flu Season
Posted on August 18, 2021
Families Fighting Flu was founded in 2004 by families whose loved ones died of influenza. We strive to increase awareness about the seriousness of the disease and to reduce the number of hospitalizations and deaths caused by the flu each year. Our goal is to increase flu vaccination rates for all people eligible to receive the annual vaccine.
To be consistent with the mission of this organization, as of September 1, 2021, we will be requiring all staff and board members to be fully vaccinated against both COVID-19 and flu.
Practicing What We Preach
While our staff and board have always been vaccinated against influenza and other vaccine-preventable diseases, given the virulence and transmissibility of both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, we find it necessary to formalize this policy. For the 2021-2022 flu season, Families Fighting Flu is requiring all medically eligible staff and board members to be fully vaccinated by November 1, 2021.
We urge other employers to create similar policies that encourage vaccination and reduce the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. Please see below for Families Fighting Flu’s policy to use as a template for your organization or workplace.
Families Fighting Flu Vaccine Policy:
- We firmly believe that all staff and Board of Directors should receive all of the recommended vaccines according to the schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- As of September 1, 2021, we require that all staff and Board of Directors receive one (1) dose annually of the seasonal influenza vaccine and all required doses (depending on the manufacturer) of a COVID-19 vaccine.
- For the 2021-2022 flu season, the deadline to receive both of these vaccines is November 1, 2021.
- We firmly believe that vaccines are an important part of reducing illness, hospitalization, and death caused by these two diseases.
- We recognize that COVID-19 and influenza are among the most deadly vaccine-preventable diseases and we must do everything in our power to stop their spread.
- We feel that refusing to vaccinate is short-sighted and unacceptable. Given our organization’s mission, we cannot employ people whose beliefs are not consistent with improving the public’s health.
- We recognize that the choice to vaccinate may be a very emotional one for some individuals. We will do everything we can to show you the evidence-based, scientific literature that vaccinating is the right choice for both your individual and the public’s health. However, should you have doubts, please discuss these with your personal healthcare provider.
(Note: Policy adapted from Immunization Action Coalition)
