USC and Keck Medicine of USC leaders have announced mandatory flu vaccination policies for 2021. University faculty, staff, students and Keck Medicine employees must have received the influenza vaccine and provided proof of compliance, or have completed an exemption form by Oct. 31 for health system employees, and Nov. 1 for the wider university community.

The Keck Medicine policy aligns with Los Angeles County’s flu vaccination mandate and applies to all employees, even those currently working remotely, according to a memo distributed Sept. 23 by Smitha Ravipudi, CEO of USC Care Medical Group, and Marty Sargeant, interim CEO of Keck Medical Center of USC.

USC has renewed the decision to require the influenza vaccine for all students, faculty and staff for the 2021-2022 flu season, to help mitigate the potential simultaneous impact of flu and COVID-19 during the seasonal flu timeframe in the fall/winter months, according to a memo from Sarah Van Orman, MD, chief health officer for USC Student Health.

Keck Medicine employees should use the online platform ReadySet to submit documentation and confirm compliance with the policy by Oct. 31. The university community can use their MySHR health records to submit documentation and confirm compliance with the policy by Nov. 1.

Beginning Oct. 4, USC Pharmacies will be the campus partner for faculty and university staff, administering both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines for both campuses, Van Orman wrote in the memo. Flu vaccines administered on campus through USC Pharmacies have no out-of-pocket cost for faculty and university staff. Keck Medicine staff can receive flu vaccines through Employee Health Services as well.

For more information about university policy for faculty and staff, click here. For students, click here. Keck Medicine employees, click here.