Due to a statewide shortage of seasonal flu vaccine, MIT Medical has begun limiting seasonal flu vaccines to MIT Health Plan members and students who are at high risk for complications from flu. A student-only seasonal flu clinic will be held as planned on Oct. 15 using doses reserved for that purpose, but plans for additional clinics in graduate student dorms have been put on hold.
Patients who are not in a high-risk group may have their names put on a waiting list to be contacted if and when MIT Medical gets more seasonal influenza vaccine. "But it is not clear when — or if — MIT Medical will receive the rest of the seasonal flu vaccine doses we have ordered," says Kris Ruzycki, A.N.P.-B.C., MIT Medical's chief of nursing services and student health. "We'll continue to vaccinate high-risk patients as long as our current supply lasts, but we are strongly encouraging members of our community to try to get their seasonal flu vaccinations elsewhere."
Due to the supply shortage and increased demand, employees, affiliates and retirees who are not MIT Health Plan members will not be able to obtain a seasonal flu vaccination from MIT Medical this fall, even if the Department eventually receives its full supply of vaccine, Ruzycki adds.
MIT Health Plan members may present a Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) card to get a seasonal flu shot at any CVS Minute Clinic, and CVS will bill BCBS directly. To find a CVS Minute Clinic, search by zip code at www.minuteclinic.com/en/USA. The closest clinics to the MIT campus are in the CVS stores at 36 White St. in Porter Square, Cambridge, and 85 High St. in Medford.
Health departments in Cambridge and Boston are providing free seasonal flu vaccine clinics; residents of other communities can locate local flu clinics through MassPRO’s Public Flu Clinic Finder.
Students and Health Plan members who pay for seasonal flu shots outside MIT Medical will be reimbursed. Obtain an itemized receipt and complete the MIT Health Plan claims form. Then bring or send the form and receipt to Claims and Member Services (E23-191), which will mail a reimbursement check.
Patients who are not in a high-risk group may have their names put on a waiting list to be contacted if and when MIT Medical gets more seasonal influenza vaccine. "But it is not clear when — or if — MIT Medical will receive the rest of the seasonal flu vaccine doses we have ordered," says Kris Ruzycki, A.N.P.-B.C., MIT Medical's chief of nursing services and student health. "We'll continue to vaccinate high-risk patients as long as our current supply lasts, but we are strongly encouraging members of our community to try to get their seasonal flu vaccinations elsewhere."
Due to the supply shortage and increased demand, employees, affiliates and retirees who are not MIT Health Plan members will not be able to obtain a seasonal flu vaccination from MIT Medical this fall, even if the Department eventually receives its full supply of vaccine, Ruzycki adds.
MIT Health Plan members may present a Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) card to get a seasonal flu shot at any CVS Minute Clinic, and CVS will bill BCBS directly. To find a CVS Minute Clinic, search by zip code at www.minuteclinic.com/en/USA. The closest clinics to the MIT campus are in the CVS stores at 36 White St. in Porter Square, Cambridge, and 85 High St. in Medford.
Health departments in Cambridge and Boston are providing free seasonal flu vaccine clinics; residents of other communities can locate local flu clinics through MassPRO’s Public Flu Clinic Finder.
Students and Health Plan members who pay for seasonal flu shots outside MIT Medical will be reimbursed. Obtain an itemized receipt and complete the MIT Health Plan claims form. Then bring or send the form and receipt to Claims and Member Services (E23-191), which will mail a reimbursement check.
