The Health Sciences Association of B.C. is concerned that workers could lose their jobs if they don’t comply with a new provincial policy requiring health care workers either get a flu shot or wear a mask during flu season.
Union president Reid Johnson said while they encourage members to get the flu shot, people ultimately have the right to make their own health choices.
Reid is worried that workers who do not comply could be punished.
“We got a directive recently from the Health Employers Association of B.C. that the provincial medical health officer said this is the way it’s going to be and if you don’t comply you could be fired,” Reid said. “We weren't even consulted on it.”
Reid wants the policy withdrawn because it’s punitive and a violation of privacy rights.
“Maybe they've had bad allergic reactions to it,” he said. “They might have personal, philosophical or even religious reasons why they don't want to get vaccinated.”
B.C.’s provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall said the policy will prevent the spread of the flu, which can be deadly for elderly patients.
“Its not mandatory flu shots it’s an influenza control program,” Kendall said. “Unfortunately, despite all our efforts on educating and getting voluntary compliance, on average, the health care worker influenza [immunization] rates across Canada have been below 50 per cent.”
Kendall said the new policy, which was based on similar systems in the U.S., is needed to protect patients.
“If people can't for medical reasons, or won't for conscientious objection reasons, then we think that wearing the mask will provide a significant degree of protection for the patient,” Kendall said.
The union wants to meet with employers to discuss the policy before it comes into effect Dec. 1.
With a report from CTV British Columbia’s Maria Weisgarber
