Mandatory Vaccinations for Employees

Unlike previous seasonal influenza viruses, the H1N1 virus disproportionately infects a wider age-range of people. Based on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC’s) recommendations, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) developed guidelines for employers to assist them in preparing their workplaces to minimize transmission of a pandemic virus (the focus of these recommendations were for a healthcare facility). These recommendations include vaccinations.

OSHA expects facilities providing healthcare services to perform a risk assessment of their workplace and encourages healthcare employers to offer both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines. It is important to note that employees need to be properly informed of the benefits of the vaccinations. However, although OSHA does not specifically require employees to take the vaccines, an employer may do so. In that case, an employee who refuses vaccination because of a reasonable belief that he or she has a medical condition that creates a real danger of serious illness or death (such as serious reaction to the vaccine) may be protected under Section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 pertaining to whistle blower rights.

For more information on flu vaccines, see both the CDC’s and OSHA’s websites.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 7:45 am and is filed under Safety Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.