A review of state laws revealed the following:
• Twenty states have laws that address mandatory influenza vaccination of certain categories of the health workforce.
• All the laws define the healthcare employer that must comply with the law; although few states have included both acute-care hospitals and residential care facilities.
• Most of the laws require employers to allow healthcare employees to decline vaccination by signing a declination statement for a medical contraindication or conflicts due to a religious belief.
The researchers also established a “model law” that states could implement. This law would incorporate six elements: a broad definition of the affected employee, a broad definition of the affected employer, healthcare employer obligations, an identified exemption policy, healthcare employee obligations and an identified standard of care.
Related Articles on Hospital Vaccinations:
Colorado Health Department Looks to Boost Healthcare Employee Vaccinations
National Business Group on Health Urges Providers to Require Flu Vaccinations
Oregon Hospital Association Opposes Proposed Healthcare Employee Vaccination Mandate
