WASHINGTON – Requiring health care workers to be vaccinated against influenza is one strategy for reducing its spread in health care settings. Researchers at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services have released a report that reviews the arguments for and against such mandates, given the risks of influenza in health care settings, the availability of safe and effective vaccines to reduce that risk, and the inadequate health care worker compliance with immunization recommendations (fewer than 50% comply).

In August, New York became the first state to require all health care workers to have seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccines as a condition of employment. While most people agree more workers should be vaccinated, a compulsory regulation highlights a pair of competing interests — protecting patient health, and safeguarding the rights of individuals to make their own medical choices. Many health care workers opposed the New York measure and three separate lawsuits were filed to challenge it. New York suspended its mandate in mid-October, citing shortages of both vaccines, but the issue is likely to surface again as public health officials seek to curb the spread of the disease. 

For more information influenza vaccine mandates, contact:

Alexandra Stewart, JD
Assistant Research Professor, Department of Health Policy
School of Public Health and Health Services
The George Washington University
2021 K Street, N.W., Suite 800
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 994-4141
Email: stewarta@gwu.edu

About the Rapid Health Policy Response Project
The Rapid Health Policy Response Project of the School of Public Health and Health Services at The George Washington University presents data and other background information on breaking public health stories. The goal is to educate the public, policymakers, legislators, health care providers, the media and others in order to promote informed decision making.