Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center will require all faculty, staff, students, post-doctoral trainees and volunteers in the hospital and its subsidiaries be vaccinated for the flu, the hospital system announced Thursday.
The new policy applies both to seasonal and the H1N1 swine flu virus vaccinations. Only employees with religious or medical reasons are exempt.
The hospital said it provides flu vaccines free of charge to its staff and students. Seasonal flu vaccinations began Thursday.
Medical center officials said they fear that, without the mandate, a staffing shortage could cripple the hospital's ability to treat patients.
"To provide optimal protection, particularly from a patient safety perspective, and to provide employees who are going to be exposed to cases, we felt like this was the best time to make it mandatory," said Dr. Robert Sherertz.
Criteria will be established for the order in which individuals receive the H1N1 vaccine, which is expected next month, with priority given to those who provide direct, hands-on patient care or have a high risk of exposure to patients with the flu.
While most understand the hospital's reasoning, some argue it's the principle that's a little concerning.
"Personally, it doesn't bother me, but I feel a little funny about being forced to do something," said employee Nicole Husemeier, "If I had a condition or didn't feel right about having medicine or inoculation in my system, I'd feel kind of funny about that."
Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis recently implemented a similar policy and only four employees out of more than 10,000 refused the vaccine. Baptist hospital officials said they expect a similar response here.
The new policy applies both to seasonal and the H1N1 swine flu virus vaccinations. Only employees with religious or medical reasons are exempt.
The hospital said it provides flu vaccines free of charge to its staff and students. Seasonal flu vaccinations began Thursday.
Medical center officials said they fear that, without the mandate, a staffing shortage could cripple the hospital's ability to treat patients.
"To provide optimal protection, particularly from a patient safety perspective, and to provide employees who are going to be exposed to cases, we felt like this was the best time to make it mandatory," said Dr. Robert Sherertz.
Criteria will be established for the order in which individuals receive the H1N1 vaccine, which is expected next month, with priority given to those who provide direct, hands-on patient care or have a high risk of exposure to patients with the flu.
While most understand the hospital's reasoning, some argue it's the principle that's a little concerning.
"Personally, it doesn't bother me, but I feel a little funny about being forced to do something," said employee Nicole Husemeier, "If I had a condition or didn't feel right about having medicine or inoculation in my system, I'd feel kind of funny about that."
Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis recently implemented a similar policy and only four employees out of more than 10,000 refused the vaccine. Baptist hospital officials said they expect a similar response here.
