Mandated flu shots? Some staff say no thanks
SHEA points to ethical responsibility
Influenza vaccination of health care personnel is a professional and ethical responsibility, and non-compliance with health care facility policies regarding vaccination should not be tolerated, according to a position paper released by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).
The paper was endorsed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), which agreed that influenza vaccination is a core patient safety practice that should be a condition of initial and continued employment in health care facilities.
According to SHEA, the recommendations apply to all staff in all health care settings, regardless of whether the professional has direct patient contact or is directly employed by the facility. The policy also applies to students, volunteers, and contract workers. The only exemptions should be in cases of medical contraindications, say the epidemiologists and infectious disease physicians.
"The transmission of influenza in health care settings is a substantial safety concern for both patients and health care personnel and deserves our attention and action," says Neil Fishman, MD, president of SHEA. "Health care providers are ethically obligated to take measures proven to keep patients from acquiring influenza in health care settings. Mandatory vaccination is the cornerstone to a comprehensive program designed to prevent the spread of influenza, which also includes identification and isolation of infected patients, adherence to hand hygiene and cough etiquette, the appropriate use of protective equipment, and restriction of ill health care personnel and visitors in the facility."
According to a 2009 RAND Corp. survey, 39% of health care professionals stated they had no intention of getting vaccinated, despite the heightened concern surrounding influenza with the H1N1 pandemic.
Richard Whitley, MD, president of IDSA, says, "The scientific evidence shows significant reductions in the risk of influenza in both acute and long-term care settings as a result of strong immunization policies and programs. Vaccination of health care personnel saves patients' lives and reduces illness. It also protects the individual worker from falling ill during influenza outbreaks and from missing work, which further impacts patient care."
The complete position paper is available at http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/656558.
Influenza vaccination of health care personnel is a professional and ethical responsibility, and non-compliance with health care facility policies regarding vaccination should not be tolerated, according to a position paper released by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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