Hospitals crack down on staff refusing flu shots

According to the most recent federal data, about 63 percent of U.S. health care workers had flu shots as of November. That's up from previous years, but the government wants 90 percent coverage of health care workers by 2020.

The highest rate, about 88 percent, was among pharmacists, followed by doctors at 84 percent, and nurses, 82 percent. Fewer than half of nursing assistants and aides are vaccinated, Bridges said.

Some hospitals have achieved 90 percent but many fall short. A government health advisory panel has urged those below 90 percent to consider a mandatory program.

Also, the accreditation body over hospitals requires them to offer flu vaccines to workers, and those failing to do that and improve vaccination rates could lose accreditation.

Starting this year, the government's Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is requiring hospitals to report employees' flu vaccination rates as a means to boost the rates, the CDC's Bridges said. Eventually the data will be posted on the agency's "Hospital Compare" website.

Several leading doctor groups support mandatory flu shots for workers. And the American Medical Association in November endorsed mandatory shots for those with direct patient contact in nursing homes; elderly patients are particularly vulnerable to flu-related complications. The American Nurses Association supports mandates if they're adopted at the state level and affect all hospitals, but also says exceptions should be allowed for medical or religious reasons.

Mandates for vaccinating health care workers against other diseases, including measles, mumps and hepatitis, are widely accepted. But some workers have less faith that flu shots work — partly because there are several types of flu virus that often differ each season and manufacturers must reformulate vaccines to try and match the circulating strains.

While not 100 percent effective, this year's vaccine is a good match, the CDC's Bridges said.

Several states have laws or regulations requiring flu vaccination for health care workers but only three — Arkansas, Maine and Rhode Island — spell out penalties for those who refuse, according to Alexandra Stewart, a George Washington University expert in immunization policy and co-author of a study appearing this month in the journal Vaccine.

Rhode Island's regulation, enacted in December, may be the toughest and is being challenged in court by a health workers union. The rule allows exemptions for religious or medical reasons, but requires unvaccinated workers in contact with patients to wear face masks during flu season. Employees who refuse the masks can be fined $100 and may face a complaint or reprimand for unprofessional conduct that could result in losing their professional license.

Some Rhode Island hospitals post signs announcing that workers wearing masks have not received flu shots. Opponents say the masks violate their health privacy.

"We really strongly support the goal of increasing vaccination rates among health care workers and among the population as a whole," but it should be voluntary, said SEIU Healthcare Employees Union spokesman Chas Walker.

Supporters of health care worker mandates note that to protect public health, courts have endorsed forced vaccination laws affecting the general population during disease outbreaks, and have upheld vaccination requirements for schoolchildren.

Cases involving flu vaccine mandates for health workers have had less success. A 2009 New York state regulation mandating health care worker vaccinations for swine flu and seasonal flu was challenged in court but was later rescinded because of a vaccine shortage. And labor unions have challenged individual hospital mandates enacted without collective bargaining; an appeals court upheld that argument in 2007 in a widely cited case involving Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle.

Calhoun, the Illinois nurse, says she is unsure of her options.

"Most of the hospitals in my area are all implementing these policies," she said. "This conflict could end the career I have dedicated myself to."

As for the current flu outbreak itself, Dr. William Schaffner, professor at Vanderbilt University and past president of the National Foundation for Infectious Disease, spoke to Anthony Mason and Margaret Brennan on "CBS This Morning" about what we can expect looking forward.

"The flu will be with us for another six weeks," he said. "If you haven't had the flu vaccine, go out and get it, but don't linger. And you may have to shop around a little bit to find it."

Schaffner recommends using the Center for Disease Control's flu vaccine locator website, to find out where you can get vaccinated in your area.

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[MelanieinNJ]

Here is the answer to your dilemma: if you are told you MUST have the vaccine and you DON'T WANT IT- tell them you are ALLERGIC TO EGGS. I am...and that is WHY I will NEVER have to get a FLU shot that is only 62% effective. Period. I'd rather GET the flu than to, and I quote the medical personnel: "It MIGHT not work but IF you get the FLU it will be less harmful" *** does THAT mean? Just sayin'...

[moonglow525]

Those flu shots contain mercury which is TOXIC to the brain. Those of you who think getting the flu shot is a good thing, then why are there doctors advising against it? I have never gotten flu shots and I don't get the flu.

I'm smart enough to stay away from crowds during outbreaks. I'm smart enough to keep my hands washed and AWAY from my face where the flu virus can enter through your mouth or nostrils. I'm smart enough to keep the Vitamin C flowing by consuming fresh fruits and veggies that contain Vitamin C. I'm also smart enough to keep people OUT of my face when they are talking. If there is one thing I absolutely HATE is when people get too close to me to talk, practically in my face.

I was in the nursing profession for quite a number of years. Caught a HORRIBLE cold when as I bent down to take a patient's blood pressure. He opened his mouth, stuck out his tongue and coughed right in my face!

On a visit to another patient's home, his daughter told me to pick some oranges off the tree in their yard. That cold was GONE in 3 days. As we know, colds are caused by viruses. So, you all can keep your flu shots as the mercury in them collects in your brains, possibly causing Altzheimers later.

My grandparents got flu shots every year and every year they were sick. I would not advise anyone to get flue shots. There are better ways to protect yourself.

[margroks]

Digger, it's not a drug cocktail-it's a VACCINE. Killed flu virus which provokes an immune response in a majority of people. There are several strains included every year but it is guesswork as to which will be the worst and sometimes a strain will pop up that is worse than expected. ANd it is not about freedom-it's about protecting everyone as much as possible. If some poor person cannot take the shots because they are allergic to some component it's too bad and if the rest of us are innoculated that can provifde some protection to that unfortunate person. Decent Americans would care about those less fortunate than themselves. We are a cociety-we're all in this together-it is NOT every man for himself here or anywhere that decent people exist.

[digger2222]

It's NOT a vaccine it's a drug COCKTAIL! Read it and weap or at least you ought to: http://vaxtruth.org/2011/08/vaccine-ingredients/

Besides that it's about Control and conformity.
Reports are there's "No Value in Any Influenza Vaccine: Cochrane Collaboration Study"
http://gaia-health.com/gaia-blog/2012-10-05/no-value-in-any-influenza-vaccine-cochrane-collaboration-study/
U.S. government panel now pushing "vaccinations for all!" No exceptions...

http://www.naturalnews.com/029081_vaccinations_public_health.html#ixzz2HDEjEt2e

[barcar55]

My question is: Where are this nurse's latex gloves she should be wearing in the picture?

[diddy_back_again]

I see another government madate coming here probably from HHS or CDC. After all it's for the 'greater good'. Isn't that correct all you marxists? Tax flu shots and then make us get them. A lefties dream come true. It's coming.

[eyeamnotalone]

It's already here... the 2012-13 forced flu shots for health care employees are a requirement of Obamacare... 90% compliance or lose 1% this year, 2% thereafter of medicare/medicaid dollars. While saying it's "patient safety", a vaccine with little or no track record for efficacy or long term negative effects won't achieve that goal, rather it ensures full federal payments to health care institutions.

[nicmart]

We should be more concerned about the low compliance with hand hygiene guidelines by doctors and nurses. Thousands die every year due to hospital-acquired infections. And then there are medical errors...

[RJames55]

Health care workers should not be able to refuse immunizations. Any Immunizatios. They can have a health waiver if allergic or other medical reason but should not be able to refuse.

You believe in medicine or not. If you do not belive in it find another line of work no one is forced to work in a Health Care setting.

[judymar14]

A line has to be drawn on a choice, this is one. Except for an allergy to the vaccines, only the ignorant would refuse a shot to protect him/herself against a disease that can be controlled, even if only to lessen the symptons if the flu is caught. As for those who refuse - for religious reasons - they shouldn't be working in a hospital. Do they refuse to treat patients who need blood transfusions, certain medications, shots of any kind...

[aubfmet]

What else does Calhoun the nurse disagree about with her profession?

[Rafterman11]

Flu shots do not make you invincible, but they reduce your chances of getting the flu, or, if you do get it, you get a milder case in many cases. Don't believe the paranoid internet nonsense. Unless your own body chemistry causes problems with flu shots, there is no reason to not get one.

[digger2222]

Don't be a sheep, it's not paranoia to not want to get the latest drug cocktail. It's even been reported that the current flu strain is NOT a part of the flu shot. A lot of good that will do.

It's about Control and conformity. Get informed instead of being a sheep.
Reports are there's "No Value in Any Influenza Vaccine: Cochrane Collaboration Study"
http://gaia-health.com/gaia-blog/2012-10-05/no-value-in-any-influenza-vaccine-cochrane-collaboration-study/

Yet there's a U.S. government panel now pushing "vaccinations for all!" No exceptions... How's that for freedom of choice?
http://www.naturalnews.com/029081_vaccinations_public_health.html#ixzz2HDEjEt2e

[Rafterman11]

...as I said. Paranoia.

LOL.