HILO — Health care workers across the state would be required to receive annual flu vaccinations if a measure currently being debated in the state Legislature is adopted.
HILO — Health care workers across the state would be required to receive annual flu vaccinations if a measure currently being debated in the state Legislature is adopted.
Introduced by state Sen. Rosalyn H. Baker, D-South and West Maui, Senate Bill 2394 is scheduled for a Senate floor vote today.
While many Hawaii health care providers support the bill, labor unions and many individuals in the state and across the country have argued it would violate employee rights and their beliefs.
The legislation aims to bring Hawaii in line with guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has recommended for the past 35 years that health care workers be vaccinated for the flu.
The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices finds that flu vaccinations of physicians, nurses, nursing assistants and others “enhance patient safety.” The CDC website points to a 2014 study that found morbidity and mortality rates among patients were reduced when health care providers were vaccinated.
“This measure has the potential to protect vulnerable patients in hospitals from potentially being infected by ill workers and can help the problem of employee absenteeism that is associated with influenza outbreaks,” reads testimony provided by Linda Rosen, CEO of the state’s health care network Hawaii Health Systems Corp. “As influenza season is associated with high census in our hospitals, it is especially important for our workers to stay healthy during those periods.
“As a healthcare provider, HHSC feels that hospitals should set a good example for the public and other organizations to follow. Our facilities have conducted campaigns to raise influenza vaccination rates by various means but voluntary participation has been less than hoped for. The proportion of the workforce vaccinated against influenza will surely increase if this measure is passed.”
The CDC estimates that flu vaccines prevented about 7.2 million illnesses, 3.1 million medically attended illnesses and 90,000 hospitalizations associated with flu in 2013-14.
Despite such estimates and evidence of improved medical outcomes, many oppose the measure, saying it would infringe upon health care workers’ rights.
“While it’s acknowledged that health care professionals are looked to for guidance on good health practices, mandating annual influenza vaccinations infringes upon one’s personal and philosophical beliefs,” reads Feb. 25 testimony by the Hawaii Goverment Employees Association. “The exemptions presented in this bill only allow for a medical condition, religious belief or if there is an insufficient supply of vaccinations.
“Policies of best health practices within facilities and sick leave already exist to minimize employees from infecting patients and fellow employees should they be ill or contagious. Further, requiring the vaccination as a condition of employment could impact the employer’s ability to recruit should a potential applicant believe their beliefs are compromised.”
Among the dozens of letters submitted into testimony asking legislators to oppose the vaccination mandate, many cited a perceived increase in risk to health care workers from the vaccinations.
“The choices for flu vaccination are an injection that has the toxic preservative thimerosal or a live virus nasal spray. Thimerosal breaks down into ethylmercury in the body and is found in brains in animal research,” wrote Jennifer Viets.
However, the CDC finds “there is no evidence of harm caused by the low doses of thimerosal in vaccines, except for minor reactions like redness and swelling at the injection site. Even so, in July 1999, the Public Health Service agencies, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and vaccine manufacturers agreed that thimerosal should be reduced or eliminated in vaccines as a precautionary measure.
Since its introduction, Senate Bill 2394 has advanced through the Senate Committees on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health; and Ways and Means without amendments. Should it pass a today’s floor vote in the Senate, the measure will cross over to the state House of Representatives.
Currently, health care workers at Hilo Medical Center, for example, are not required to be vaccinated. However, the hospital encourages its employees to be vaccinated and provides the shots free of charge.
About 81 percent of clinical employees and 75 percent of all HMC employees are currently vaccinated for influenza, according to a hospital spokeswoman. Nationwide, the early season 2014-15 flu vaccination coverage among health care personnel working in hospitals was 78.7 percent, according to the CDC.
Email Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following vaccinations for all health care workers:
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella
- Chickenpox
- Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis
- Meningococcal