Nurses Say No To Forced Flu Vaccination

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Two years ago, nurses and other health care professionals just said "no" to smallpox vaccination after fully understanding the benefits and risks of that vaccine. It is interesting to note here that when people are informed about the benefits and risks of a particular vaccine and want to exercise the "consent" part of informed consent, those who want to force vaccination on them look for ways to punish them for exercising that right. It is also important to remember that babies and children depend upon their parents to exercise the right to informed consent for them as they cannot vote with their feet or vote at the ballot box like these nurses can.

www.prnewswire.com/
PRNewswire
September 21, 2004

Nurses Outraged by Virginia Mason Medical Center's Mandatory Flu Vaccination Policy

SEATTLE, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), representing more than 600 registered nurses at Virginia Mason Medical Center, strongly opposes the Hospital policy to require mandatory flu vaccination for all registered nurses.

According to an internal Hospital memo, all VMMC staff (including volunteers) must be vaccinated against influenza and those who decide not to receive vaccination will face termination.

"WSNA is utterly opposed to this policy and appalled that the Hospital would threaten nurses with termination as its first approach and not involve us in the formulation of a sound voluntary policy. Forcing nurses to receive the flu vaccination is simply wrong. We will take swift and appropriate action unless the Hospital immediately ceases the implementation of this policy," said Barbara Frye, RN, Director of Labor Relations at WSNA.

"I am shocked that the Hospital is threatening to fire anyone who does not comply. Registered nurses understand better than anyone both the benefits as well as the side effects of the flu vaccine and must have the personal choice to decide whether or not to receive the vaccination. Educating nurses and other staff about the importance of the vaccination and allowing each individual to make a decision with regards to the vaccination is what we would support," said Lauralee Mayorkinos, RN, WSNA local unit chair at VMMC.

Founded in 1908, WSNA is a constituent of the American Nurses Association/United American Nurses and is recognized by the National Labor Relations Board as a collective bargaining agent. WSNA represents and promotes the professional development of more than 12,000 nurses in Washington state and their economic and general welfare by projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by informing the Legislature and regulatory agencies of health care issues affecting registered nurses and the citizens of Washington state.

SOURCE Washington State Nurses Association Web Site: http://www.wsna.org

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