Woman fired for refusing flu shot

Woman fired for refusing flu shot

Judge Rejects Suit Filed To Prevent Forced Vaccinations

Kisha Foster, WYFF News 4 Reporter

POSTED: 2:40 pm EST December 9, 2010
UPDATED: 6:15 pm EST December 9, 2010

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ANMED FLU SHOT REQUIREMENT

ANDERSON, S.C. -- A judge ruled in favor of AnMed Health's mandatory flu shot policy Thursday afternoon, agreeing that the hospital can require employees to be vaccinated.

The lawsuit was filed against the Anderson hospital because it started requiring all workers to get a flu shot or be fired. The policy went into affect in September.

According to hospital officials, the goal it to protect the health of patients by reducing the risk of the virus being spread at the hospital.

Hospital cashier Bertha Hunter refused to get a shot.

"This is me. I am standing up for me. I am not taking it because they want me to take it. I know the health reasons and all, but, it's plenty people out there who don't take the flu shot, wont take the flu shot and have the right not to," said Hunter.

Griffin filed the lawsuit on Hunter's behalf on the grounds that the hospital's mandatory shots are a violation of her privacy.

The following is AnMed Health's written response about the lawsuit:

"We cannot comment on its specifics, but we are disappointed to learn that the flu policy’s intent – patient, staff and community safety – is not shared by all of our health care workers," said Heidi Charalambous, a hospital spokeswoman, "This policy is an extension of our efforts to protect our patients and visitors from infection. It’s the same reason we invest in hand-washing campaigns, improving surgical protocols and providing sterile environments."

Some workers can skip avoid being vaccinated if they have severe egg allergies, a past severe reaction to the flu vaccine or a history of Gillian-Barrè syndrome.

The employees who are granted an exemption will be required to wear a surgical mask while on duty.

"If they told me I didn't have to take the shot and I could wear a mask that would have been fine, but that is not an option," said Hunter.

The lawsuit had requested a restraining order to keep the hospital from firing people who refuse to get the shot for non-medical reasons, but Judge Cordell Maddox did not support that request.

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