Healthcare workers and flu vaccination
At last count, 47 states were having “flu emergencies,” with a marked increase of reported influenza cases compared to recent years. So it’s time for me to share one of my pet peeves again: influenza immunizations for healthcare workers.
This came back into the public arena again earlier this month when ABC News ran a story about eight employees who were fired from an Indiana hospital because they refused this year’s flu shot. A former president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases was reportedly quoted as saying “I cannot think of a reason for any health care professional to decline influenza immunization that’s valid.” A bit of a strong statement, but one I wholeheartedly agree with!
I feel that it is unconscionable for healthcare workers to put the at-risk population we care for in jeopardy of acquiring a potentially life threatening illness due to our “right” to refuse immunization. That said, what about religious convictions? What about our right to decide what is “best” for us?
Who is responsible if a significant adverse reaction occurs to a healthcare worker that was “forced” to be immunized? I believe the benefits of yearly influenza immunization far outweigh the risks. Many of our employees who declined the vaccine earlier this year have now decided to get it. I wonder what that means about their initial reasons for refusal. What do you think?
About the Author: William F. Mills, M.D., MMM, CPE, FAAFP, CMSL, is currently the senior vice president of quality and professional affairs for the Upper Allegheny Health System located in western NY. Mills is a graduate of Hahnemann University School of Medicine and completed his family practice residency at the West Jersey Health System. He is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, and a fellow in the American Academy of Family Physicians. Mills is currently a clinical assistant professor at the School of Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo. He is also certified in addiction medicine through the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and currently serves as a medical review officer. Prior to transitioning to full-time administrative medicine, Mills spent more than 20 years as a practicing family physician, and more than 10 years as the medical director of a residential drug and alcohol treatment facility. He also holds a Master of Medical Management degree from the Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California and is a Certified Physician Executive from the Certifying Commission in Medical Management.
Shelly | Feb 8, 2013 | Reply
At this moment I am wearing a mask because I did not have my flu shot. Twenty minutes after my previous flu shot, I was being whisked to the ER in a wheelchair, my heart racing at over 200 beats a minute and I could not breathe. Still yet, I was not “exempt” from the flu shot this year until my doctor wrote a note stating that is was “not recommended” that I have the flu shot again. I do not feel that my own life is valued when I am forced to have a shot that compromises the beating of my heart, unless of course I have a note from my doctor. And because of articles such as yours and the statements you make, (“I cannot think of a reason for any health care professional to decline influenza immunization that’s valid.” A bit of a strong statement, but one I wholeheartedly agree with!) I am looked upon with disdain for not having my flu shot.