Vaccinating for seasonal influenza is one of many health-related activities in which IP&O’s Environmental Health and Safety (REHS) takes a lead role. Certain segments of the Rutgers population, including Rutgers Health Care personnel and University Public Safety personnel, are required to receive the flu vaccine. 

In 2017, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) launched the Influenza Honor Roll to recognize institutions that actively strive to promote influenza awareness and prevention within their communities. 

For the third year in a row, REHS and Rutgers University has received the NJDOH High Honor Roll for its efforts in vaccinating against seasonal influenza. 

Honor Roll Candidates are asked to submit their overall campaign objective, activities that encouraged greater vaccination compliance, and approximate number of people vaccinated. REHS teams up with several Rutgers University groups and units and employs a combination of university-wide communications, automatic email reminders, and targeted outreach during flu season to encourage higher vaccination rates among its population. IP&O’s IT group, specifically Nick Taylor, Senior Application Developer, plays a pivotal role in helping to automate and track vaccination compliance among IP&O employees.  

The Rutgers Immunization and Testing Compliance Portal played a vital role this flu season, serving as a centralized hub for tracking flu vaccination records for all employees. This portal streamlined access to vaccine information and enabled direct email communication with employees who were not yet compliant. It also offered a simple, efficient way for employees to submit proof of vaccination, minimizing barriers to compliance. Additionally, the portal allowed for early outreach to new hires, facilitating the collection of influenza documentation before their official start date. This approach ensured a seamless transition from pre-hire to employment for faculty and staff, preventing any delays due to vaccination compliance requirements.

REHS, working with several Rutgers University schools and units, and Chancellor Brian Strom issued frequent university-wide messaging. Departments such as Rutgers Occupational Health and Safety ran mobile clinics to make vaccinating accessible to everyone, especially those who are required to receive the vaccine. This year, in record time, by January 1, Rutgers reached 99% compliance for all covered individuals. Rutgers also reached 95% compliance by the December 1, 2024 university deadline and subsequently hit 99% compliance. 

All institutions named to the New Jersey Influenza Honor Roll will be highlighted on the NJDOH website and will receive a certificate of recognition.

Congratulations REHS!

Featured in the IP&O Newsletter, July 2025.