A vaccine is the most effective form of prevention. In the case of influenza, a vaccine can cut your risk of developing the disease by up to 90 percent, depending on a variety of factors, including the effectiveness of the vaccine that year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) recommend that all U.S. health care professionals get vaccinated annually against influenza.

Mandatory vaccination is a controversial strategy that pits health care professional and personal autonomy against patient/public safety and employee relations. Administrators planning to implement mandatory influenza vaccination policies for health care professionals must understand the implications involved in these policies.

To prepare for this Discussion, review the peer-reviewed, professional journal articles and news article in this week’s Learning Resources, describing a dispute involving a health care facility’s mandatory vaccination or mask for seasonal flu. Select one of these articles for the Discussion, or find one of your own in a peer-reviewed journal or on the Internet. This dispute may involve an individual health care provider or facility.

• American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). (2011). ACHE code of ethics. Retrieved from http://www.ache.org/abt_ache/code.cfm
• The following three articles discuss the debate regarding mandatory flu shots for health care professionals. Be sure to read all three articles to prepare for this week’s Discussion.
  • Bloom, J. (2013, February 4). Mandate the flu vaccine for healthcare workers. U.S. News. Retrieved from http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2013/02/04/mandate-flu-vaccines-for-healthcare-workers
  • Cheng, A. C., & Worth, L. J. (2014). Mandatory influenza vaccination of healthcare workers: Is it necessary or sufficient to protect patients? Healthcare Infection, 19(3), 114–115.

    Mandatory influenza vaccination of healthcare workers: is it necessary or sufficient to protect patients? by Cheng, A.; Worth, L., in Healthcare Infection, Vol. 19/Issue 3. Copyright 2014 by CSIRO. Reprinted by permission of CSIRO via the Copyright Clearance Center.

  • Hooper, C. R., Breathnach, A., & Iqbal, R. (2014). Is there a case for mandating influenza vaccination in healthcare workers? Anesthesia, 69(2), 95–100.

    Is There a Case for Mandating Influenza Vaccination in Healthcare Workers? by Hooper, C.; Breathnach, A.; Iqbal, R., in Anesthesia, Vol. 69/Issue 2. Copyright 2014 by John Wiley & Sons – Journals. Reprinted by permission of John Wiley & Sons – Journals via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Post by Day 3:

Format your post as if you are advising the CEO of the health care provider or facility identified in the journal/news article you read, and discuss the following implications:

• Analyze the situation in light of health care service delivery.
• Analyze the situation in light of patient and public safety.
• Explain the conflict(s) that may arise as a result of this policy.
• Explain any ethical issues raised by this policy.
• Finally, explain your conclusion/position regarding mandatory seasonal flu vaccination or mask for health care professionals.

General Guidance on Discussion Posts: Your original post, due by Day 3, will typically be 3–4 paragraphs in length as a general expectation/estimate. Refer to the Week 1 Discussion Rubric for grading elements and criteria. Your Instructor will use the rubric to assess your work.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings