Should health care workers be required to get vaccinated?

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Exemptions for medical, religious, and personal reasons continue to apply to health care workers under the amendments.

Newly proposed amendments to some public health regulations could require all healthcare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza.

of fix Work on vaccinations for staff in clinics, out-of-hospital dialysis units, hospice programs, hospitals, coming-of-age health programs, emergency medical services, and long-term care facilities. All of these are subject to medical, religious and personal exemptions.

Specifically, “Each hospital shall ensure that all personnel are vaccinated with seasonal influenza vaccine, in accordance with the Secretary’s guidelines, unless an individual is exempt from vaccination,” the amendment states. says. hospital license state.

current state rules there is no need Most health care workers need to be vaccinated against the new coronavirus, but health care workers are also required to be vaccinated hospice and nursing home (These workers are granted medical and religious exemptions).

But some medical leaders, including the Massachusetts Association of Health and Hospitals, warn that the new amendments could cause confusion over the implementation and enforcement of the rule, resulting in “unnecessary and costly litigation.” are doing. boston globe.

Already, some of the state’s largest hospital systems General Brigham Mass and Beth Israel Rayhei — Facing lawsuits from workers who were laid off early in the pandemic for refusing to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, alleging their applications for religious and medical exemptions were denied without reasonable argument or appeals process. ing. The hospital denies these claims.

The Massachusetts Association of Health and Hospitals said the proposed new rule could affect the state’s high flu vaccination rates. This vaccination coverage is set by the Public Health Service as a minimum coverage of 90% or higher for eligible health care workers in all licensed health care facilities. 2021-2022 health workers Influenza vaccination rate exceeded 90% standard.

The proposed amendments “could significantly reduce vaccination coverage among healthcare workers. Increased risk of infection For our patients and staff,” the association said in a recent letter to the state health department. glove report.

In addition, vaccination standards differ from hospital to hospital. For Massachusetts General Brigham officials, it’s the primary series, the first COVID-19 vaccination. For Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Tufts Medical Center, it is a primary dose and at least one booster dose.

As flu season is approaching and many are wondering if it is It’s time to get vaccinated against the new coronavirus infection again.the CDC recommends everyone get it. divalent shotwas first offered to the public in September. “Whether or not you have completed it before, [monovalent] primary series. ”

We would like to know if you agree with the proposed new amendments and if you plan to get a COVID-19 booster this fall. If you are a healthcare professional, what do you think of the proposed rule? Do you think it will cause confusion or jeopardize flu vaccination rates? Let us know what you think.