disclaimer I worked has a public health nurse so my bias is clearly toward vaccination
really whether the hospital is within its legal rights depends on the employment contract that employees signed. If their contract stated that they agreed to receive the flu shot annually as a condition of employment than yes the hospital is within their rights to fire employees out of compliance.
there are valid contraindications for not receiving a flu shot allergic reactions being among them
influenza vaccine requires two weeks to mount a proper immune response to provide protection. also the vaccine is not 100 percent effective in preventing the flu and effectiveness is individual and generally decreases with age
injectable influenza vaccine can not cause flu because it is made from dead virus not capable of causing infection. the mist is different and can cause flu because it contains live ( although altered) virus especially in immunocompromised individuals
the flu is a serious illness that causes approx 30,000 deaths/year and countless $ losses in productivity due to absences from work/school/daycare
off soapbox now
BTW - has anyone noticed the article does not mention anything about those fired being healthcare providers. They are mentioned as “employees”,,could be janitors and secretaries,,who knows? Also NOT MENTIONED is any link to any piece of literature showing that healthcare workers who do NOT get a vaccine somehow cause a significant health issue or have caused a significant issue to patients. ...where is that proof? Unbelievable what some people will accept to have a job. Guess if I’m the employer, I own your aZZ, LITERALLY and physically. It’s NOT right.
I hadn't had a flu shot in years but have changed careers which leaves me more exposed. I got one this year.
I've never been sick when I've gotten them but I've also not had the flu in decades. *knock wood*