Influenza & COVID-19: Employee Health Return-to-Work Guidance

If You Are Symptomatic

Do not report to work. If symptoms begin while at work, please go home.

If You Test Positive for Flu

• Employees should complete the COVID and Flu Reporting Form: Please use your UAB email address (if available) to receive automatic isolation and return-to-work instructions.
• Stay home until you feel your symptoms are improving and you are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications (Tylenol, Advil, aspirin). Typically most symptoms, including fever, will resolve after about 5 days.
• If you have not developed a fever or are unsure if you did, stay at home for at least 5 days from the date you started to get sick.
• When you return, if you have any lingering symptoms (congestion, cough, sore throat), please wear a mask until symptoms resolve.

Flu Vaccine

UAB provides flu vaccines to all employees free of charge. Flu vaccines are voluntary for campus employees but are required for UAB Medicine employees. If you are a campus employee, please pay careful attention to the location details below to ensure you choose the correct site. All employees must bring their employee ID badge to receive the vaccine.

UAB Medicine Employees

Flu vaccines are required for all employees, licensed practitioners, students, trainees, vendors, and volunteers of UAB Medicine Enterprise, UAB Hospital, UAB Hospital Management, LLC, University of Alabama Health Services Foundation, P.C., UAB Callahan Eye, University of Alabama Ophthalmology Services Foundation, and UAB School of Medicine clinical departments as well as any other individuals who provide care, treatment, or other services for these entities and/or their patients are required to receive a flu vaccine annually.

For more information, visit UAB One.

UAB Campus Employees

Flu shots will be available at the following locations beginning Oct. 1, 2026, according to the schedule below.

What to do if you have flu symptoms

If you develop fever over 100.4°F and respiratory symptoms, you should not work. Many respiratory viruses can cause an influenza-like illness. During peak flu season, the most likely cause is influenza, but you should be tested for COVID-19 to rule that out. Testing for influenza and COVID-19 can be done through your primary care doctor’s office, an urgent care clinic, or at UAB Urgent Care by filling out this respiratory symptoms form. For more information, refer to this FAQ document.

Questions?

If you have questions about the flu vaccination policy, please contact your Human Resources department.