[MCOH-EH] Mandatory Flu Vaccinations

[Olson, Noreen]

Hello Kymberly,
Compliance with our policy is mandatory and must be completed by Dec 31st of each year.  Those who are not compliant by Dec 31st get a temporary suspension with a 3 day window in which to become compliant.  If still non-compliant after the 3 day window, they are terminated.
Policy requirement is to:

·         Receive annual influenza vaccination; or

·         Engage in a vaccine declination process that includes completing an on-line learning module, having a face to face discussion with an occupational health nurse, and then signing a declination if still opposed to vaccination.

The policy has been in place 4 years and the declination rate has steadily declined to roughly 2% of the healthcare worker population.  The organization has steadily emphasized the importance of influenza vaccination and provides frequent educational materials/reminders via our social media outlets.  We use our internal occupational health service to vaccinate our staff, our ambulatory clinic patients, their siblings, and adult house-hold contacts.  This amounts to over 10,000 individuals vaccinated annually and helps us achieve our goal of cocooning our most vulnerable patients from influenza.  Our eligible in-patients are vaccinated by the unit nurses.  This approach has helped make vaccination a community obligation rather than just a healthcare worker obligation.

Reasons for declining include valid medical contraindications, a few religious type objections, and occasionally the objection due to vaccine efficacy concerns and belief that vaccination is not needed.

Good luck with your work.
Noreen

Noreen Olson, RN, MN, HEM, COHN-S, ARM
Compliance Coordinator, Occupational Health Services
Seattle Children’s Hospital – Foundation - Research
noreen.olson at seattlechildrens.org

206-987-3391 Office
206-985-3159 Fax

OFFICE   4300 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
MAIL      M/S RC-411, PO Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98145-5005
WWW     seattlechildrens.org

From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces at mylist.net] On Behalf Of Gillespie, Kymberly Sue
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2014 11:14
To: MCOH/EH
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] Mandatory Flu Vaccinations

Good afternoon,

WVUH is revisiting the topic of mandatory flu vaccinations.  Currently, we do not have a mandatory requirement, but are considering doing so.  Therefore, we are hoping to gather any information that may be helpful.

Does your organization require mandatory Flu Vaccinations?

·         If yes, what was/is the reasoning/justification for doing so?
·         When/How long have you had a mandatory requirement?
·         How do you handle employees who refuse the vaccination without proper medical validation to not receive?
·         What pushback/challenges have you received and how did you handle them?


Thank You.

Sincerely,
Kymberly Gillespie
Manager, Employee Health, Benefits/Faculty Relations, Employee/Labor Relations
WVU Healthcare
West Virginia University Hospitals/University Health Associates
PO Box 8121
Morgantown, WV 26506
(304) 598-4075
(304) 598-4160

Visit is at www.wvuh.com<http://www.wvuh.com/> to apply online.

Ask me why WVUH is an employer of choice:
ANCC Magnet Recognition
AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009-2010, 2011 and 2013
National Excellence in Worksite Wellness Award, Platinum Level
Business on Board with Childcare! Navigator Award, 2010, 2011


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