In my opinion the usual MMR vaccine’s, hep A/B, flu, pneumovax vaccine, even the Shingrix for those 50 plus, I believe those vaccines have had lots of trials and are well investigated throughout the years with supporting evidence, I feel those are important to have, i wouldn’t want mumps polio the “old” diseases to return full blown in this century.
There should be no mandatory or forced Vaccines for health care persons such as the Covid Vaccine in my opinion was forced to health care providers since it was not studies enough, I do have people like myself that was forced to choose employment or be fired.
It was unfortunate some of co workers were let go of their position only to find out new staff are now hired with no covid vaccines.
There is not enough evidence that the vaccine for covid is effective, some have had reactions such as myself, i feel all the usual vaccines should be mandatory but not theses new ones with no real supporting evidence should be forced on health care providers.

This is quite personal. The current guidelines for public school vaccines I do agree are necessary. Parents can make their own decisions if they wish their child to attend an environment where there are regulations
Definitely a subject to be explored
I support those at the ministry level. Perhaps I would feel differently if I had a life changing experience with a vaccine

Immunization should be mandatory to some extent for health care workers because it protects both staff and vulnerable patients from vaccine-preventable diseases. As much as health care faces a higher risk of exposure, unvaccinated staff can transmit infection in health care settings.
Evidence shows that vaccines such as influenza and hepatitisB reduce infection rates, outbreak and absenteeism. But individual choice is important; medical exemptions can be provided, making mandatory immunization a justified and essential part of health care OHS programs.
COVID-19 should be an exemption due to the short studies that accompany the productions, which causes a lot of side effects to many people.
Old vaccines can still be tolerated like MMR, influenza, and hepatitis but not covid.

Although immunization programs are highly effective and an important component of occupation health and safety, immunizations should not be mandatory for health care workers. Ethical principles such as respect for autonomy and informed consent support an individuals right to make personal health decisions, even in a health care setting. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I personally experienced this ethical concern while I was still breastfeeding my baby and was mandated to receive the vaccine despite limited long-term data on potential risks to breastfed infants at that time. The situation created significant distress, as I felt forced to choose between my employment and my role as a mother without having clear evidence to fully inform that decision. Experiences like this highlight how mandatory policies may overlook individual circumstances and medical uncertainties. Alternative strategies such as education, routine infection control practices, use of PPE, and testing can help protect patients while still respecting personal choice and individual health considerations.

Immunization programs are an important part of OHS program. While I believe Immunization should not be mandatory for health care workers and that individuals have the right to make informed choices about their own health, I do have mixed feelings about this topic. I feel health care workers must understand the risks their decisions may pose to themselves, their coworkers, and their clients. Although personal choice is important, unimmunized staff by choice or medical exemptions, may increase the risk of infection for vulnerable patients and colleagues, making it challenging to balance individuals rights with responsibility to protect client safety. For this reason, strong education and infection prevention measures are essential. I feel as this is a very personal opinion and there is evidence to support both opinions.

Working in long-term care, I’ve seen how quickly infections can spread and how seriously they affect residents. I believe immunizations should be mandatory for health care workers because they reduce outbreaks and protect vulnerable residents. Being immunized is part of my responsibility to provide safe care while respecting appropriate exemptions.

I think that mandatory immunization can be justified because of the unique risks in health care, but it must be implemented fairly and ethically. Why immunizations should be mandatory: to protect elderly patients, newborns, immunocompromised patients. To protect health care workers: to reduce occupational illness, decrease absenteeism and staff shortage, prevent outbreaks. Why mandatory policies can be controversial. Some health care workers feel mandatory immunization infringes on personal rights( beliefs are religious or philosophical). Some of them can be vaccinated safely and can use alternative controls (for example: masking, reassignment from high-risk patients) . I think a balanced and effective approach instead of “mandatory at all costs” best practice is immunization for high-risk vaccines (Flu, measles, hepatitis B), clear exemption processes, alternative measures, strong education and easy access to vaccine.

I believe immunizations should be mandatory for healthcare workers, as they face increased exposure during outbreaks and the emergence of new diseases. Immunizations play a critical role in protecting healthcare workers, as well as immunocompromised individuals and older populations. However, vaccination policies should be implemented in a way that respects personal autonomy and ethical considerations.

This is SUCH a loaded question! I believe that everyone should be vaccinated. That being said I also believe that every person should have a choice.

That ALSO being said, I do believe that if staff do not want to have themselves vaccinated that they should not be able to work when a floor is on outbreak. Prime example is the flu. If you don’t want to get the shot.. Fine. But when residents are sick, they should not be able to work on that floor. It scares me when staff do not want to get the flu shot, especially because its a huge protection to our already at risk residents.

As a community RPN, I believe immunizations should be mandatory for health care workers, with medical exemptions. Evidence shows vaccines reduce transmission, outbreaks, and staff absenteeism, helping protect vulnerable clients such as older adults and immunocompromised individuals. Since our role is to provide safe care and prevent harm, immunization is an essential part of occupational health and patient safety.

Vaccines work by imitating an infection inside the body and therefore help prepare the body to defend against a full-blown infection. I think immunizations should be mandatory for health care workers because it protects the health care workers, other staff members and clients. WHO considers vaccines as safe, effective and life saving but also states that it’s hard to predict how effective the vaccine will be for variable population, outside of the clinical trials. I think, before a vaccine is made mandatory for HCW, it should go through multiple trials over a specific period of time. Medical exemption should be provided for HCW’s that are not able to take vaccine. Also I think as nurses we have a moral and ethical duty to provide safe and accountable care by following the best practice guidelines for vaccination.

Immunization programs have been shown to be effective for the OHS programs. I do believe that health care providers immunizations should be mandatory for those working in health care except for those who have exemptions. We work with those of the vulnerable populations ( elderly, immunocompromised etc…) who are at risk of contracting these illnesses, It is part of our responsibility to protect the public from these illnesses. There is evidence that shows that vaccines help to reduce the transmission of viruses and also helps to protect health care providers when coming into contact with them as well.

I believe immunizations should be mandatory for health care workers, with appropriate medical exemptions. Community nurses and PSWs provide care in uncontrolled environments and frequently see multiple vulnerable clients in one day, increasing the risk of transmission. Vaccines such as influenza, COVID-19, hepatitis B, and MMR significantly reduce the risk of severe illness and help prevent outbreaks, which is especially important for immunocompromised, elderly, or medically fragile clients receiving care at home.

Unlike hospital settings, infection control measures in private homes can be limited by space, ventilation, and client compliance. Therefore, immunization becomes an additional critical layer of protection within the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) framework. Mandatory immunization supports client safety, workforce stability, and continuity of care while upholding our professional duty to do no harm.

Current scientific evidence supports the safety of many vaccines such as the hepatitis B, the MMR and others. Such vaccines serve as protection for the staff and the patient. However, I think the right of individual consent by the health worker should not be ignored as other options can be made available to such a person such as not coming to work until an outbreak is over if such individual is unwilling to take a vaccine.

I do believe that heath care workers should be vaccinated. There is enough evidence to support the effectiveness and validity of vaccines. I feel that when you accept a position to work with a vulnerable group of individuals it should be a prerequisite of the job. However, refusal for vaccines for valid medical reasons should be supported.
Whether staff work in LTC, community etc the workers may be the only people the client/resident/patient comes into contact with and by being vaccinated you add that extra layer of protection.