RUSH Influenza (Flu) Vaccine Requirement

All RUSH personnel (employees, students, contractors and volunteers) are required to receive a flu vaccine every year or to request a medical or religious exemption. The vaccine is free to all RUSH personnel.

We require this vaccine to protect our patients, employees and other community members, and to comply with the guidelines of the federal Centers for Disease Control and the Joint Commission.

This year we will also be offering the bivalent COVID-19 booster to all eligible RUSH personnel.

2022 Dates and Deadlines

The deadline to receive the flu vaccine for all personnel at RUSH University Medical Center, RUSH Oak Park Hospital and RUSH University is Nov. 11, 2022. The deadline to request a flu exemption is Oct. 28, 2022.

Where to Get Vaccinated

RUSH personnel are encouraged to receive the flu shot at a non-RUSH location, as appointment availability for flu shots at RUSH may be limited. If you receive your flu shot outside of RUSH, you must submit your records at rush.edu/vaccinerecord by Nov. 11.

Appointments to receive the flu vaccine at RUSH must be scheduled in MyChart. Walk-ins are not allowed.

Appointments for flu vaccines are available weekly at the following locations:

  • RUSH University Medical Center – Oct. 3 to Nov. 11, Atrium Building's ground floor lobby
  • RUSH Oak Park Hospital – Oct. 4 to Nov. 9, Employee Health Services (second floor, room 259)

Getting Started with MyChart

If you do not already have a MyChart account, you will need to create one in order to schedule an appointment. Learn more about MyChart and the My Rush app here.

To create a MyChart account for free, visit the MyChart registration page. Choose “Verify Identity with a Third Party" to answer questions and create an account. If you have questions about MyChart, please call the MyChart Helpline at (312) 563-6600.

Using MyChart to Make an Appointment

Once you have downloaded the MyChart app onto your mobile device, please follow these instructions to make an appointment.

  • Navigate to Appointments > Future and Past Appointments > Schedule an Appointment. On a computer, select 'Schedule an Appointment’ from the main menu.
  • Select “Rush Employee Health Vaccinations”
  • Answer the questions presented, and then enter your RUSH ID. (Contractors enter your company name or the Rush department with which you are contracting.)
  • Select your preferred appointment time. Review your information and schedule your appointment.

Contractors and Volunteers

Contractors and volunteers are also welcome to receive the flu shot and bivalent COVID-19 booster at RUSH. Appointments must be scheduled in MyChart. Choose the correct option (Contractor/Volunteer) while scheduling. Walk-ins are not allowed.

Exemptions

Employees must submit flu vaccination exemption requests at rush.edu/exemption by Oct. 28.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Information

All hospital personnel are highly encouraged to receive their flu shot and Pfizer BioNTech bivalent COVID-19 booster at the same time at RUSH. Contractors and volunteers can also receive the bivalent COVID-19 booster at RUSH. If you receive your COVID-19 booster outside of RUSH, you must submit your records at rush.edu/vaccinerecord.

Appointments at RUSH must be scheduled in MyChart. Choose the correct option (contractor/volunteer) while scheduling.

These boosters are specific to the omicron variant. Personnel are eligible for a booster if it has been at least two months since your last booster or completion of the primary COVID-19 series.

More information about the new booster vaccine is available here.

Questions?

If you have questions about the flu vaccine requirement at RUSH, please contact the Employee Service Center at (312) 942-3456, or call ext. 2-3456 from a RUSH landline, or from the RUSH network, go to esc.rush.edu.