VIEWPOINT: Nurses union urges flu vaccination for all health care workers

The Washington State Nurses Association has a proud history of more than 100 years advocating for the health of nurses and the patients that we serve. Because of this com-mitment, the WSNA strongly recommends that nurses and all other health care providers who provide direct patient care be vaccinated for both the seasonal and H1N1 influenza.

Let us be very clear: The WSNA’s lawsuit against the MultiCare Health System in no way diminishes or undermines our firm belief that every nurse and health care provider should be vaccinated for both the seasonal and H1N1 influenza.

Our objection is MultiCare’s unilateral implementation of its flu policy with total disregard of its legal obligation to bargain with the WSNA, the union representing the registered nurses at both Tacoma General and Good Samaritan Hospital. Its refusal to bargain and to cease and desist forced us to take extraordinary measures and seek relief in federal court.

A hospital-by-hospital approach to development of policies concerning mandatory vaccination is not good public policy. It lacks consistency and adequate protections for both patients and workers.

In the absence of a Centers for Disease Control or Department of Health requirement for mandatory annual influenza or H1N1 vaccination of all health care workers, the WSNA strongly urges nurses to be personally responsible and get their vaccinations as well as take other preventive and precautionary steps to combat the spread of influenza.

The WSNA believes that any mandatory vaccination policy should only be enacted as a federal or statewide public health regulation and must include the following core components:

 • Employers must ensure appropriate protection and safety measures.

 • Employers must ensure that influenza vaccines are available and offered to every health care worker annually.

 • The policy must cover all health care settings and health care workers, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, adult boarding homes and outpatient clinics, in addition to such health care workers as doctors, nurses, emergency responders,and housekeeping personnel.

 • If a declination form is required, the individual must be able to sign the form confidentially without divulging personal health information or declaring the reason(s) for refusal of a vaccine. The employer must not discriminate against or discipline a nurse for opting out.

 • The employer must not discriminate against or discipline individuals for the appropriate use of sick time.

 • CDC guidelines must be used for prevention, protection and safety of nurses and patients.

These are important distinctions that MultiCare’s proposed plan does not address.

For several years, the WSNA has conducted annual influenza education campaigns with our members and the public including electronic, Web, television and print information. Last year, and again this spring and fall, we have partnered with the state Department of Health, the state Hospital Association, the state Medical Association and the Washington Health Foundation to educate the public about flu prevention with television ads airing across the state in English and Spanish.

Unfortunately, there is no single answer to keeping our patients and health care providers healthy this flu season. We are committed to a variety of approaches to educate our members and the public about the importance of vaccination and other preventive measures. Combating the flu will require coordination and collaboration among many stakeholders and the WSNA is actively engaged in these efforts.

Nurses want to be part of the solution. We stand ready to partner with MultiCare and other organizations to educate and advocate for seasonal and H1N1 vaccinations, encouraging all health care providers and members of the public to take this important step in staying healthy.

Judy Huntington of Kent is the executive director of the Washington State Nurses Association in Seattle.