TriHealth fires 150 employees for not getting flu shots: Co. offered shots for free (Cincinnati)

WLWT-TV ^ | November 22, 2012

[2ndDivisionVet]

CINCINNATI — One of Cincinnati’s largest employers fired approximately 150 employees Wednesday for failing to get a required flu shot.

TriHealth offered all of its 10,800 employees free flu shots. Employees had a month to get the flu shot. The deadline was Nov. 16. Employees who did not get the shot were terminated Wednesday, a company spokesperson said...

[MV=PY]

LOL!

Did they sign the agreement?

[who knows what evil?]

I use eucalyptus oil, as well...I can’t remember the last time I had so much as a cold, and I live in New ‘Red as they come’ England.

[Mom MD]

In Colorado it’s now state law. All healthcare workers will get the flu vac or have their privileges suspended during flu season the only exemption is a documented allergic reaction. While I’m first in line to get the flu vacc every year (had Hong Kong flu as teenager never want to be that sick again) the libertarian side of me made me want to challenge the system. Unfortunately I need to put the kids thru college..... But one more reason I’m out of the doctoring business as soon as the youngest graduates. 2 1/2 yrs but who is counting?

[who knows what evil?]

A new pandemic would spread faster, and could potentially kill hundreds of millions, or even billions of people.

I've seen those movies, too...

[austinaero]

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.

[who knows what evil?]

Just for grins; I have checked under ‘career opportunities’ at the websites of hospitals around the country...not ONE mentions that a flu shot is a condition of employment. Shouldn’t potential employees be made aware of that before the application process begins?

[newzjunkey]

Thank you for bringing rational thought to this overly emotionalized and anecdotally distorted topic.

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*

[Black Agnes]

Given that Baxter, a flu vaccine manufacturer, was caught ‘accidentally’ putting the live bird flu virus IN the vaccines for bird flu it would seem your logic might be a bit off? Plus, most manufacturers are now moving vaccine lines to China and India. China would never adulterate any of the consumer goods it sells. Never.

[Professional Engineer]

I had flu shots every year in the military. Got the flu the week after every year as well.

Never again.

[MD Expat in PA]

Healthcare workers are well aware of the special requirements their field has. They know its a requirement.

Exactly. In addition to influenza shots, it is also advisable if not required by many hospitals and clinics that healthcare workers get vaccinated for Hepatitis, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella, Varicella, TB, Pertussis, Typhoid Fever, and Vaccinia. This is not only for the protection of patients but for the protection of the healthcare workers themselves and to maintain a healthy healthcare workforce in the event of an outbreak of any of those diseases. And imagine what would happen if you go to the hospital for life saving surgery and half of the staff is out sick with the flu or something even worse. Imagine a sick healthcare worker spreading the flu or Hep or Measles, Mumps, Rubella, imagine a unimmunized nurse or nurses aid sick with Rubella working in a high risk maternity ward, someone with Pertussis working in the children’s ward or someone with TB working in the cafeteria.

[austinaero]

Again, the article says “employees”,,it doesn’t say healthcare workers.

[austinaero]

Advisable is not the same as required.

[who knows what evil?]

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?

There isn't any. IT personnel, paper pushers, etc...even in 'off-site' locations are forced to SUBMIT (if they want to keep working...if you are one of the paycheck to paycheck crowd, too bad). In Red Hampshire; if you work for Pepsi (or Coke), and have to service a machine at a RH hospital; you MUST have a flu shot. They are considered 'contractors', and must be immunized.

[codder too]

Why compromise your immune system with these shots? Time to fight back.

[thatjoeguy]

Never had a shot, hope never to get one either.

JB

[MD Expat in PA]

Advisable is not the same as required.

The CDC has a list of recommendations, what immunizations for healthcare workers are “strongly advised”, but the actual requirements for healthcare workers are regulated by each State’s departments of health. Here is New York’s for instance:

http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/immunization/health_care_personnel/

Here is Rhode Island’s:

http://www.health.ri.gov/immunization/for/healthcareworkers/index.php

Here is Texas’:

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/shot_pol.shtm

Of course hospitals and clinics can, as a condition of employment, require immunizations over and above what is required in the state in which they are operating.

I remember a time when food service/food handlers had to be tested for TB and Typhoid. I think that was a good idea, something that should be required.

[who knows what evil?]

China would never adulterate any of the consumer goods it sells. Never.

Hundreds of pets in our country learned that hard lesson a few years back...

[Fast Moving Angel]

I’m with the others who refuse to get a flu shot. My mother and aunt used to get them every year and of course, they got the flu. I’ve never had one and have never had the flu.

[who knows what evil?]

The comments after the story are interesting.

I note that most of the comments defending the shots are coming from the 'elite' community...'Hahvahd', university professors and such...

[elkfersupper]

Healthcare workers are well aware of the special requirements their field has. They know its a requirement.

So, healthcare have to sacrifice their health to political correctness.