Mandated Flu vaccine?

[mol42]

Hi- Just received a blanket email yesterday that my hospital in VA is requiring ALL STAFF involved in patient care to get the flu vaccine this year. (incl nurses, physicians, clinical aides etc) I always get the vaccine voluntarily but feels wrong that this can be mandated. I still intend to get it. Is this legal? I remember something similar involving a group of NY Nurses some time back.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

Required. If you don't take the shot, you're required to wear a mask at all times.

[CVmursenary]

duchey certs signature

[missbutton]

Required or you have to wear a mask. But I don't get why so many healthcare workers are against vaccination? It drives me crazy.

[ukstudent]

Required for everyone, not just people with direct pt care. Even vendors, maintenance people and cafeteria workers need to have one. There is a medical opt out form that needs to be filled out by your primary MD, if you have had past problems with the flu shot.

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

Not mandatory here... yet. Sign a form if you don't take it.

I took it the first three years as a nurse - have had more problems with than without.

But I don't get why so many healthcare workers are against vaccination? It drives me crazy.

I'm not against "vaccination" (I have my Hep B and tetorifice shots for example). I'm just not completely sold on the "flu vaccine" - I don't think it's that effective.

B. I'm just not fond of the whole "mandatory" thing in general (mandatory anything for that matter - just on principle).

cheers,

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I gotta laugh at this: I work at five hospitals - its strongly encouraged for all nursing staff but not for mid-levels and MDs.

Don't think this makes much sense but that's the way they are.

[FLArn]

@ Wooh "Required. Even if allergic"

Really? Is risk management on board with your facility requiring staff members to potentially commit suicide? I am reasonably sure that this would be illegal. Probably designed to deter people from claiming nonexistent allergies; those with documented allergies must certainly be given alternatives.

If I had a documented allergy and was told get a flu shot or else... I would be in the CNO's office with lawyer in tow in no time flat.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

Yup. If I had an order to give a pt who had an egg allergy a flu shot, and gave it, and something happened... They'd throw me under the bus in a heartbeat. But flu shot allergies are "rare" so unless you've already had a "severe" reaction in view of an allergist (and a rash doesn't count, then they want you to still get it and just take some benadryl), they're still insisting you get one.

It's really quite ridiculous. Especially since there is a LOT of medical staff that doesn't get the flu shot.

[belgarion]

Take it every year, still get the flu every year.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

http://articles.boston.com/2011-09-14/news/30156355_1_flu-vaccine-vaccination-rates-hospital-workers

Two of Boston's largest teaching hospitals will require all employees who have contact with patients to get a flu vaccine this fall or face suspension or possibly termination.

The two, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Children's Hospital Boston, are part of a 10-hospital coalition that pledged in July to adopt policies "as quickly as logistically feasible'' to mandate seasonal flu vaccines for all health care workers "as a condition of employment.''

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/09/14/boston_hospitals_require_workers_to_get_flu_shots/

BOSTON--Two major Boston teaching hospitals will soon require all employees to get flu shots as a condition of employment.

Officials at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Children's Hospital Boston say the rule that takes effect this fall is aimed to at keeping workers healthy so they do not spread the flu to patients, and to ensure the hospitals have enough workers in the event of a flu outbreak.

Who are they kidding.....they could care less about the health of the workers.......except when it costs them sick time.. I personally don't think not taking the vaccine will turn you into Typhoid Mary and the refusals they have you sign are an admission of guilt in voluntary manslaughter.... I have been made very sick with the vaccine an have seen other people become very sick from the vaccine including paralysis from Guillain Barre.

Interesting that for some places it's not required for midlevels and MD's......hummmmm:rolleyes:

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

Required. If you don't take the shot, you're required to wear a mask at all times.

That is the policy at my facility.

[ChicagoICUNurse]

Mandatory for ALL associates. You can apply for an exemption due to moral/religious/allegeric reasons, but it has not been granted for many. This is the first year that is has been deemed mandatory.