---
Pretty much, like one of those people who sues over Christmas decorations as a violation of their civil rights.
Posted on 11/18/2014 2:34:08 PM PST by grumpygresh
November 17, 2014
Dear Physician,
Each year, influenza results in an estimated 226,000 hospital admissions and 36,000 deaths. As you know, unimmunized individuals infected with influenza may be asymptomatic but still contagious and able to infect others. Health care personnel who are not immunized can unintentionally expose patients to seasonal influenza.
Reducing influenza transmission from health care personnel to patients is a top priority both nationally and in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Healthcare Influenza Prevention Coalition, a group comprised of the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA), Wisconsin Medical Society (the Society), LeadingAge Wisconsin, Wisconsin Health Care Association (WHCA)/Wisconsin Center for Assisted Living (WiCAL), and the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin, is encouraging all their members to implement a vaccination initiative to attain an evidence-based vaccination rate of greater than 95%, constituting the highest achievable level ‘herd immunity’, which is the foundational basis of all vaccine programs. Since the influenza vaccine is the most effective option currently available to reduce illness and death associated with influenza, attaining this goal will maximize our ability to prevent health care-associated infections, protect the lives and welfare of patients and health care workers, improve quality, and reduce health care costs.
Intensive efforts to achieve the 95% target vaccine rate using a voluntary approach have consistently fallen significantly short of the goal. Therefore, the Wheaton organization, with the support of its hospital medical staffs, has joined other hospitals, nursing homes, medical clinics and pharmacies in implementing a policy requiring all associates, and all health care providers who have clinical privileges at Wisconsin hospitals, to receive the influenza vaccination annually.
Employed and independent providers must have proof of influenza vaccination during the current flu season on file by December 15, 2014 if they wish to remain employed and/or privileged at Wisconsin Wheaton facilities. Individuals with medical or religious contraindications may formally pursue an exemption on those grounds. Instructions for doing so are provided in the FAQ document included with this memo.
This change in policy aligns with our mission of providing the highest quality, safest patient care possible.
By increasing health care personnel vaccination rates across the state, in hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, nursing homes, and health systems, Wisconsin’s health care community will play a vital role in protecting the health and wellbeing of our patients, families and residents in the communities we serve.
Sincerely,
Dr. Rita Hanson Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer
Enclosures: Physician information on options for vaccine compliance, Influenza Policy FAQs
cc:Eric Christensen, MD Robert Stern, MD
Q: By what date must I be vaccinated? A: You will have until December 15, 2014 to receive the vaccination.
Q: What if I am on a leave of absence and will not return until after December 15, 2014? A: All personnel who are on a leave of absence during the vaccination period will be required to receive an influenza vaccination before they will be allowed to return to work. The vaccine may be received from Associate Health & Wellness prior to the return to work or documentation of receiving the vaccine elsewhere must be submitted to Associate Health & Wellness prior to the return to work.
Q: What if there is a shortage of vaccine? A: If influenza vaccine distribution delays or vaccine shortages occur, prioritization of vaccine administration will be done in accordance with CDC and/or State Department of Health guidelines to ensure our most vulnerable patients are protected.
Q: If I refuse to be vaccinated, will I be terminated? A: If you choose to not be vaccinated, we will consider you to be voluntarily terminating your employment or relationship with Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare as of December 15, 2014.
I was quite happy to roll up my sleeve. Got my flu shot months ago.
Well, my gripe is I used to waltz into the pharmacy every five years for a pneumovax vaccination, but now I have to have a prescription for one..I guess I am being forced to not get one unless I want to go spend money at a Doctor’s office.
Anyone smell a lawyer, or is it just me?
These are physicians who are refusing the flu shot. Obviously you know more than they do about this subject. Perhaps you could inform them of the deficiencies in their medical knowledge.
Pretty much, like one of those people who sues over Christmas decorations as a violation of their civil rights.
Damn skippy, I’ll be hanging out this thanksgiving with medical personnel and microbiologists!
You have it backwards, these are physicians who are mandating that their peers be vaccinated. There is no mention of any physician refusing in the post. Why would they? They obviously know more than you about the subject.
So, pretty much, you’ve got nothing.
My husband got his a few weeks ago. He gets one every year. No more flu.
I used to be responsible for a hospital vaccination program. The docs aren’t refusing shots, they just won’t show up for vaccinations.
My nurse would walk up while I was charting and vaccinate me as I worked so I wouldn’t end up on the list.
Hmmm, let's see. The letter starts out "Dear Physician." And what was that big word you used? "Peer"?
So let me translate your statement: these are physicians who are mandating that their fellow physicians be vaccinated.
So of course I had it backwards! I said that physicians are refusing to get vaccinated, when in fact the truth is that physicians are refusing to get vaccinated. My mistake.
And why? Again, you're absolutely right - because they know more than me about the subject.
Thanks for playing! Here's a shiny toy!
What is this, Candid Camera?
Nothing compared with you hanging out with microbiologists who are suing Christmas trees. Nope. I've got nothing that can touch that with a ten foot pole.
I never get one, and I never get the flu.
Now let me show you how medical science works. My personal testimony is worthless. You know why? Because it's statistically insignificant.
Your testimony, however, can justify sending people with guns to hold a hundred million people on the ground while they get injected, or shot for resisting, or hauled off to an internment camp.
You know why?
A hundred billion dollars in vaccines, that's why.
LOLOLOLOL! Thanks!
Then try looking at who wrote it.
"Sincerely, Dr. Rita Hanson Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer"
ps: Dr. is short for "doctor" and doctor is a synonym for "physician".
sheesh. The next thing you know, they will be telling docs to wash their hands.
/s
Correct.
What is happening is that the hospital system (physicians, administrators) are mandating vaccinations of all employees and physicians with hospital privileges. Those that do not comply will be terminated in the case of employees or stripped of privileges if independent. The only way to be excluded is for a medical or religious exemption.
The reason that the hospital is resorting to this coercive approach is that not enough providers were voluntarily complying. I’m sure that the feds are forcing hospitals to comply through hospital accrediting agencies (JHACO).
Whether you support vaccines or not, I think most of us agree that forcing individuals to receive treatment through government coercion is not a consistent with a free society.
Vaccines do have side effects; they contain aluminum, mercury, formaldehyde, and contaminant extraneous viruses. They are associated with neurological complications increased Alzheimer’s, various neuropathies (GBS), seizures as well impaired immune responses.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.