Events

Annual influenza vaccine should occur anytime from April onwards to be protected for the peak flu season, which is generally June to September. The highest level of protection occurs in the first 3 to 4 months following vaccination.

UOW's Influenza Vaccination Scheme will be commencing on Monday April 3. This year there are two options for the 2023 flu vaccination scheme.

Option one: for Wollongong campus

Wollongong Campus staff can book in for a free flu vaccination via the Wollongong Campus Pharmacy (no need to to submit a reimbursement). 

Wollongong Campus staff can access a free flu vaccination at the Campus Pharmacy.
Please book via the below link:

Wollongong Campus Pharmacy Flu Vaccination Booking

Staff will be required to provide their employee number and staff email address on arrival.

Option two: for staff working remotely or in other campuses

Staff working remotely or located at one of UOW's regional and metropolitan campus locations can submit a reimbursement via Australian Vaccine Services.

This year's reimbursement scheme allows those working remotely or located at one of UOW's regional and metropolitan campus locations to also be able to participate in the program. There will be no drive through clinic on campus and pharmacy vouchers are not on offer this year.

The University has engaged Australian Vaccine Services (AVS) to conduct the scheme. For anything related to your personal situation you should speak with your GP or pharmacist.

The process to receive your flu vaccination in 2023 is:

1. Contact your preferred GP or pharmacy and book a flu vaccination
2. Pay for and receive your flu vaccination
   - Make sure you keep your receipt
   - Ask for confirmation/certification of your vaccination - DO NOT ask UOW
   - Note that there is a $25 cap for reimbursement
3. Access the UOW/AVS portal and submit a claim for reimbursement
4. Receive email confirmation of the claim and claim number which can be used to track the progress of your claim
5. Receive reimbursement in approximately 2 weeks

Please direct any enquiries to AVS on 1800 FLU VAC (358 822).

Further information

• ATAGI Clinical Advice on Seasonal Influenza Vaccines 2023
• Australian Vaccine Services 2023 Patient Information

SMAH School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences students are very excited to be offering joint nutrition and exercise consultations to UOW Staff from April 19. 

Who are the students?

The students are in their third year of study in either a Bachelor or Masters of Nutrition and Dietetics or a Bachelor of Exercise Science. During this semester, students have started to develop their skills in how to use motivational interviewing to provide exercise and dietetic education to clients.
A compulsory component of their courses, is the requirement to undertake a practical placement. The consultations they have with you will give them an opportunity to not only develop their skills in conducting a consultation but will also contribute to their placement learning.

What can you expect?

The students will work in pairs (an Exercise Science student and a Nutrition and Dietetics student) to conduct a basic telehealth consultation with you. This consultation will be via zoom and will be no longer than 60 minutes for an initial consultation and then a second 45-minute review session will be conducted approximately 1-2 weeks later.  The students will ask you about any nutrition or physical activity related goals you might have, they will then gather some basic information from you about what you eat and your exercise habits. Importantly the students will work in collaboration with you to provide some suggestions and written information on how you might be able to modify your current eating and exercise habits to meet your personal requirements while working toward your goals.  All telehealth sessions with the students will be supervised by a trained professional staff member.

What not to expect?

If you have any medical conditions requiring dietary intervention or specific physical rehabilitation or exercise needs, the students will not be able to address these specifically. However, the supervising staff would be happy to provide a referral to a suitably qualified clinician.

Bookings:

There are limited bookings available. Dietary consults will take approximately 1 hour  via Zoom on the following dates:

• Monday, 17 April, 2023 between 09:00 - 12:00
• Wednesday, 19 April 2023 between 14:30 - 16:00
• Thursday, 20 April 2023 between14:30 - 16:00 
• Monday, 24  April 2023 between 09:00 - 12:00 and 12:30 - 15:00
• Wednesday, 26 April 2023 between 14:30 - 16:00
• Thursday, 27 April 2023 between 14:30 - 16:00
• Friday, 28 April 2023 between 12:30 - 15:00

Please RSVP to whs-admin@uow.edu.au with your preferred date and time.
 
Please call WHS on 4221 5907 for further questions in relation to bookings.

UOW is continuing the roll out of two face to face Mental Health training courses:

1. Mental Health Awareness and Intervention
2. Mental Health Leadership Program

Feedback has been very positive, with staff stating:

• ‘Great course - Very practical and useful’
• ‘Created a safe space to discuss and ask questions’

There are also online mental health training programs that can be completed by staff at any time:

1. Mental Health Awareness - Employees
2. Mental Health Awareness - Leaders

These training courses align with the UOW workplace mental health strategy, which can be found on the Well@Work Healthy Mind page.

For more information on the above courses and how to enrol, please visit the PODS Staff Development Calendar (Intranet).