Is it ethically permissible to mandate influenza vaccination for health care workers?

June 9, 2010

The World Health Organization estimates that influenza causes severe illness in 3 million to 5 million people and 250,000 to 500,000 deaths annually. Seasonal influenza epidemics affect 5% to 20% of the US population annually and result in more than 225,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths. In persons older than 65 years, influenza is related to one in every 20 deaths. Vaccination is the most effective means of preventing infection and outbreaks of influenza; it is also the most effective method for preventing transmission of the virus to patients by health care workers. (JAAPA)