I don’t know about nationally, but in Texas for the last four years or so, if you are admitted to a hospital, you are questioned about flu annually (~oct to mar) and pneumonia vaccines (every 5 yrs). If you meet mandated criteria (most inpatients do) then you are automatically ordered both vaccines.
A doctor would have to specifically order no vaccine and state a reason in his progress note to cancel the order.
Texas Dept Health requires hospitals to show: 1. patient was already vaccinated, 2. documentation of vaccination by discharge, or 3. doctor progress note explaining why to hold the vaccine.
No hospital has a choice about this: it’s mandated.
Beginning this year in Texas, health care workers must either submit to a vaccine, or wear a mask every minute they are at work, even on breaks, from first noted community case of flu through April. Failure to do so is grounds for termination. This is a result of new State Law that went into effect this year.
I believe that an employer has the right to terminate an employee if the employee doesn’t want to meet the standard of employment. That said, these mandates are coming from the government.
we ask about flu vaccines and pneumonia vaccines...but nothing is “forced” on you...you can refuse anything at any time.....a hospital is not a prison, you don’t have to come and you can leave at any time, as long as you’re mentally competent.....