Mandatory flu shots concern B.C. health-care workers

Nurses are concerned after the B.C. government announced flu shots will be mandatory for all health-care workers on August 23, 2012. (CTV)

The B.C. Nurses Union is taking a hard look at a new provincial policy requiring health-care workers to either get a flu shot or wear a mask during flu season.

A union official says the policy is a good move for the public and for those who are ill.

But Christine Sorenson also says it's important to recognize that some health workers don't want the flu shot, even as the new policy means they might face discipline if they refuse.

Only about half of health workers currently get a flu shot, but provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall says the disease causes more deaths each year than all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined.

Kendall says a surprising number of health-care workers continue on the job even when they have flu symptoms.

Kendall made the comment yesterday, after the B.C. government announced it will be the first province to require health-care workers to get a flu shot or wear a mask to protect patients.

Kendall says the flu is not a trivial disease and causes more deaths every year than all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined.

The flu season typically runs from late November or early December to the end of March.