Patch's Poll: Should Hospitals Require Their Employees to Get Flu Shots?

As winter approaches, doctors are recommending that patients get a flu shot. Many patients will but some won't.

Many hospitals, however, now require the vaccination for all employees. According to a story in Thursday's Hartford Courant, 19 of 29 acute care hospitals in the state are requiring this year that all employees get flu shots.

The Courant also reported that "the Connecticut Hospital Association adopted a statewide policy endorsing mandatory flu vaccination for hospital staff."

A small number of hospital employees have refused. Some have been allowed to cite religious or medical concerns, but others are skeptical of the vaccine itself and simply refuse to be inoculated. A few of those employees — including two at Waterbury Hospital — have been suspended this year.

Last year, when Children's Medical Center in Hartford first required the flu vaccine, five employees were fired because they refused and did not have a valid exemption, the Courant said.

Should hospital employees be required to get a flu shot?

Take our poll and tell us in the comments.