Boston Hospitals Require Workers To Get Flu Shots

Two major Boston teaching hospitals will soon require all employees to get flu shots as a condition of employment.

Officials at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Children's Hospital Boston say the rule that takes effect this fall is aimed to at keeping workers healthy so they do not spread the flu to patients, and to ensure the hospitals have enough workers in the event of a flu outbreak.

The Boston Globe reports that workers who do not comply could face disciplinary action, including termination of employment.

The two hospitals are part of a 10-hospital collation that pledged in July to adopt flu policies as quickly as possible.

The rules are stricter than the state rules that require vaccinations unless the worker signs a form declining the inoculation.