Hospital Sisters Health System, based in Springfield, Ill., has successfully boosted influenza vaccination rates after implementing a new vaccination policy in September, according to a State Journal-Register report.
HSHS, which has 13 hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin, recently began requiring all employees to receive the vaccine. HSHS hospitals will offer free flu vaccine clinics for staff, volunteers and physicians. Those who decline the vaccine for religious or other reasons must wear a mask at work for infection control purposes.
Since that policy was implemented in September, the health system was able to boost compliance from 60-70 percent to 95 percent, according to the report. Health system officials said although there was some "grumbling," employees were generally supportive of the new policy.
HSHS, which has 13 hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin, recently began requiring all employees to receive the vaccine. HSHS hospitals will offer free flu vaccine clinics for staff, volunteers and physicians. Those who decline the vaccine for religious or other reasons must wear a mask at work for infection control purposes.
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Since that policy was implemented in September, the health system was able to boost compliance from 60-70 percent to 95 percent, according to the report. Health system officials said although there was some "grumbling," employees were generally supportive of the new policy.
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