All health-care workers should be required to get a flu shot every year, unless they formally refuse in writing, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) said today.
"Voluntary systems haven't brought immunization rates up far enough," Dr. Pavia said, calling for a regimen with "more teeth in it."
...the idea is not new. Health-care workers, for instance, are required to have hepatitis vaccinations.
Policing such a policy...might be linked to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.
The call for mandatory flu shots for the nation's health-care workers is part of a 12-point program that the society says is critical to prepare for a possible pandemic flu strain.
The society called on the federal government to establish a multinational pandemic influenza vaccine master program, "on the scale of the Apollo lunar project," to work with other countries and the private sector to develop a vaccine. The U.S. should spend at least $2.8 billion for 2007 alone on such a program, the society said.
During a pandemic, the society said, health-care workers will be at increased risk and should get priority access of vaccines and anti-virals.
Priority access to vaccines and antivirals? This is not happening in my state. The State Panflu Plan says there is not enough Tamiflu, so there will be no prophylaxis. Of course, there is no vaccine either, or appropriate and adequate PPE (but no one is mentioning the basics for safety that we will need in this article).
I'm a huge proponent of flu shots, and vaccination in general, but I still believe flu shots should be a personal choice. I think we can educate people until the end of days that flu shots don't cause the flu, but some people still don't want the shot. As much as I may think they're being silly, they still have the right to determine what goes into their body.And of course, there are those rare few who have reactions or are allergic to eggs.
As for me, I get my shot every year. I had an asthma exacerbation one year due to the flu that almost killed me..Since then, I make sure I get my shot.
children are forced to become vaccinated before entering school, and some of the patients with such poor immune systems could die because HCW didnt get the flu vaccination. Just a thought. . .
MadisonsMomRN, BSN, RN
377 Posts
I don't think it should be forced. It should be a personal choice.