Memo

To:Pella Regional Employees, Physicians, Active Volunteers, Vendors, Contracted Staff and Students

From:Administrative Team, Department Managers

Date:August 11, 2010

Re:Employee seasonal influenza vaccinations

In an effort to protect our patients, visitors, and colleagues, PellaRegionalHealthCenter is announcing an important change regarding the requirement of seasonal influenza immunizations for all employees, physicians,active volunteers, vendors, contracted staff, and students.

As health care providers, it is our responsibility and obligation to protect our patients, visitors, and colleagues—as well as ourselves and our family members—by being immunized against the seasonal influenza virus. As we have done in the past, seasonal influenza immunizations will be provided free of charge to all employees, physicians, contracted staff and active volunteers.

Participation in this year’s seasonal influenza immunization program is required. By Dec. 1, 2009, all employees, physicians, contracted staff, active volunteers and students will be required to do one of the following:

  • Receive a flu vaccination through PRHC Occupational Health Office.
  • Provide proof of immunization if you received a vaccination outside of PRHC’s planned immunization program—from another health care provider or local pharmacy, for example. This may include a signed physician's note, receipt for payment,immunization record (dated and signed), or a copy of a medical record document, turned into Occupational Health prior to Dec 1.
  • Vendors will need to submit proof of vaccination to the Materials manager. Schools will be contacted regarding submission of proof of vaccination for their students by Dec 1. They will need to submit names of any student who have not been vaccinated.

To request an exemption from the influenza immunization program for medical reasons, employees will be required to complete and submit an “Exemption Request” form by Nov. 1, 2009. The form must be completed by a medical doctor, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant and submitted to occupational health.These forms will be available from occupational health and will also be available from the manager of each department.

To request an exemption from the influenza immunization for religious reasons complete “Exemption Request form” and submit to occupational health.

If you receive a medical or religious exemption from the program, you will be required to wear a surgical mask when in the presence of patients and/or employees throughout the influenza season (Dec. 1 until the end of the flu season as reported by the Iowa Department of Public Health). Masks may be required earlier based on influenza activity.

Please Note: The seasonal influenza immunization program is not a vaccination program for the novel H1N1 influenza. Details regarding a possible immunization program for novel H1N1 influenza will be provided as public health decisions are made at the federal and state levels and more information becomes available.

Employees who do not receive the immunization or an approved exemption by Dec. 1, will be subject to the standard disciplinary process including suspension and possible termination. Those employees deemed exempt from the immunization program who do not abide by wearing masks will be subject to progressive disciplinary action as well.

From an ethical perspective we have examined the principles of autonomy, beneficence and justice. These relate to employees right to choose, the belief we “do no harm” as well as what is consistently best for all. We believe we have addressed these principles and will abide by them for the best interests of those we are committed to serve. We feel strongly this program will be a great benefit to the communities we serve and will help to protect out patients, employees and their families. Thank you in advance for participating in this important program.

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