Should Seasonal Flu Shots Be Mandatory?

[indigo girl]

The Infectious Disease Society says that for HCW, influenza vacccinations should be mandatory. Only 40% of HCW, are getting vaccinated.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/URItheFlu/tb/4925

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).

[GardenDove]

NO, they should not.

[MomNRN, BSN, RN]

This should remain an individual choice.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Individual choice.

[tntrn, ASN, RN]

Personal choice, AND JCAHO doesn't need to know if or not, or why you chose not.

Recently we were told that JCAHO requires that you tell what the nature of your illness is when you call in sick. Last I knew, JCAHO didn't make laws, and therefore I am wondering why they think they have the authority to make such a statement. Anybody know anything about this, and where to write to complain.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Last I heard I lived in America. 'Nuff said.

[salwalwol]

Personal choice, AND JCAHO doesn't need to know if or not, or why you chose not.

Recently we were told that JCAHO requires that you tell what the nature of your illness is when you call in sick. Last I knew, JCAHO didn't make laws, and therefore I am wondering why they think they have the authority to make such a statement. Anybody know anything about this, and where to write to complain.

I don't believe JACHO require this @ all. Our union contract forbids any supervisor from asking why you are caling in sick.

And as it has been said this is America......

Personal choice.

[SharkLPN]

I always get one, without fail, but think without a doubt it should be the indivdual choice of the HCW.

Reminds me of the whole "lets vaccinate all medical workers against smallpox" hooey the CDC tried a few years back. Would have made more sense IMHO, to teach us how to administer the smallpox vaccine to the general public, since, if memory serves, the vaccine is still effective even if you receive it a few days after exposure to smallpox.

[penguin2]

Last I heard I lived in America. 'Nuff said.

Ditto!!! :uhoh21: :uhoh21: :uhoh21: & in the 8 yrs I've been at my job I've lost less sick time TOTAL than most people getting flu shots lose in a year!

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Because I work with a vulnerable population, the frail elderly, I not only get a flu shot every year, but very strongly encourage my staff---and my residents!---to do so as well.

That said, I don't believe healthcare providers should be *forced* to submit to any invasion of their bodies against their will. This includes vaccinations. 'Nuff said.

[GardenDove]

Last I heard I lived in America. 'Nuff said.

America is becoming less free in some ways as time goes by. There is less individual choice allowed in some regards.

[KellNY, RN]

A program with more teeth? I'll show him teeth.

I vote a loud and annoyed NO. That's rediculous. Make a more effective, accessible, and safer vaccine and maybe more people will get it. (Probably still not me, but more people, I'm sure)

In fact, maybe it should tell them something that most healthcare workers don't get the flu shot?