Nursing homes, hospitals and other employers who require workers to get flu or measles vaccinations would not be able to punish employees who refuse them under pending Ohio legislation.
House Bill 268 would bar an employer from refusing to hire, firing, demoting or otherwise punishing an employee who chooses not to receive a mandatory vaccination. It also allows employees to sue businesses for violations.
At least one national long-term care group has recommended mandatory vaccinations for nursing home personnel, and many other states and private companies have adopted policies in favor of mandatory shots.
A 2016 study credited more than a dozen statewide pro-vaccination policies with doubling compliance rates at healthcare facilities in those areas. But the last two flu vaccines have been ill-matched, and the 2019 shot was only 29% effective, the CDC said last week. The coming flu season has been predicted to be dangerous, based on
The Ohio bill would give individuals the right to determine whether they want a specific vaccination, regardless of where they work.
Vegan Michelle Krinsky told the Enquirer she was fired from her job as a nurse at Christ Hospital Health Network in Cincinnati after declining a flu vaccine. She had previously had a bad reaction.
“LeadingAge Ohio is monitoring the progress of House Bill 268,” said Kathryn Brod, president and CEO of LeadingAge in a statement to McKnight’s on Friday. “The health of patients, residents and staff will always be the number one consideration when evaluating these issues.”
The Ohio Hospital Association, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and other medical groups are opposing the legislation.
