I certainly believe immunizations should be mandatory for all health care workers. Nurses work closely with vulnerable patients everyday and by being updated with immunizations it can reduce the risk of transmittable diseases to patients. According to a document by Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario, 2012, p. 33) two observational studies revealed lower healthcare immunization rates were associated with higher rates of laboratory confirmed hospital acquired influenza. In my situation I work with a highly immunocompromised client in the community and I see it as essential to get annual influenza shots not only to protect the patient but to also protect myself. Nurses are seen as role models and vaccine compliance can encourage the public to comply as well.

I believe that immunizations should be mandatory for healthcare workers as it protects not only staff but also clients from becoming susceptible to illness and diseases. A great example is the client population that we work with. Many of the clients at a healthcare setting are immunocomprised who can be at high risks of complications. Immunizations would also drastically reduce healthcare costs as treating a disease is more expensive than preventing one. Immunizations would also protect the staff as well allowing them to provide the best care they can to the clients. If a healthcare worker is sick due to an outbreak that would mean less staff and less care being provided to the clients. This would also put the staff who are working in unsafe situations with client-nurse ratios. In making immunizations mandatory it would ensure that the health of every individual at the hospital is safe and diseases that can be prevented are fully eliminated.

I feel it should be a mandatory level of entry for a position as a nurse or even healthcare providers to ensure they are not only protecting themselves but also their patients. Some patients come in immunocompromised, which are completely helpless. So as nurses, we can ensure their safety by vaccinating ourselves. If a patient is educated also on the importance of the vaccines to protect. themselves as well. It would reduce the rise of patients coming into the emergency departments and reduce the risk of another pandemic.

While I believe that people’s decisions regarding the acquisition of immunizations should be respected, I acknowledge the benefits and importance of mandatory immunization for healthcare workers. I support mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers to boost our immunity against the pathogen, reduce the risk of infection, lower the transmission rate not just to our patients but also to family, and reduce healthcare absenteeism at work that results in a shortage of staff that increases workload to those able to come into work.

I have attached a more detailed explanation with the resources I’ve used in this response as well.

I believe that vaccines should be mandatory for healthcare workers.
Mandatory vaccination is such a hot topic in health care. There is the line between one’s right to choose to be vaccinated and the protection of the patients that we serve.

As per WHO article Vaccines and immunization – “Immunization currently prevents 3.5 million to 5 million deaths every year from diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), influenza and measles. Immunization is key to primary health care, an indisputable human right, and one of the best health investments money can buy. Vaccines are also critical to the prevention and control of infectious disease outbreaks”

As nurses we strive to do the best for our patients. I feel its important to vaccinated for the protect of our patients as well as ourselves.
COVID was an example of how seriously workplaces are about staff being vaccinated. As well as the current measles outbreak. I feel as less of the public that is vaccinated there will be more outbreaks. Which will lead to changes in workplace policies and procedures.

As a RPN working in a rural in Primary care clinic, I believe immunizations should be mandatory for health care workers. particularly those working directly with patients. Immunizations are not only a personal health decision, but a public health responsibility in health care settings. As front line providers we have a duty to protect our patients- many of whom are vulnerable due to age, immunocompromised states, or chronic illnesses.
We as nurses are expected to uphold public safety and contribute to health promotion. Choosing not to be vaccinated in a patient -facing role may compromise these professional responsibilities.