Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Children's Hospital, both in Boston, have formulated separate influenza vaccination policies for employees, according to a Boston Globe report.
BIDMC's policy requires all employees to receive the flu vaccine unless an employee has a documented medical condition. Exemptions for religious reasons will only be allowed "on a case-by-case basis." The report did not detail possible penalties for noncompliance.
Children's Hospital in Boston's policy, which is still pending final approval, would also require all employees who come into contact with patients to receive the vaccine. Failure to get vaccinated or obtain an exemption could lead to termination or withdrawal of privileges.
The two Boston hospitals are part of a 10-hospital coalition — the Eastern Massachusetts Healthcare Initiative — that agreed in July to adopt mandatory influenza vaccination policies for all employees. The hospitals also agreed approved medical exemptions would be the only type of exemption allowed. The eight other hospital partners include Boston Medical Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Lahey Clinic, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Massachusetts General Hospital, Tufts Medical Center and Winchester Hospital.
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BIDMC's policy requires all employees to receive the flu vaccine unless an employee has a documented medical condition. Exemptions for religious reasons will only be allowed "on a case-by-case basis." The report did not detail possible penalties for noncompliance.
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Children's Hospital in Boston's policy, which is still pending final approval, would also require all employees who come into contact with patients to receive the vaccine. Failure to get vaccinated or obtain an exemption could lead to termination or withdrawal of privileges.
The two Boston hospitals are part of a 10-hospital coalition — the Eastern Massachusetts Healthcare Initiative — that agreed in July to adopt mandatory influenza vaccination policies for all employees. The hospitals also agreed approved medical exemptions would be the only type of exemption allowed. The eight other hospital partners include Boston Medical Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Lahey Clinic, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Massachusetts General Hospital, Tufts Medical Center and Winchester Hospital.
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