B.C. nurses union object to flu-shot policy, which it describes as ‘punitive’

VANCOUVER – The union representing B.C. nurses is raising concerns over a new policy that will require health-care workers to either get the flu shot or wear masks when treating patients during flu season.

The province’s health officer announced this week that B.C. would become the first province in Canada to require such measures in an attempt to reduce influenza infections.

The B.C. Nurses’ Union has issued a statement saying it’s “concerned” about the decision, which the union argues was made without properly consulting nurses.

The union describes the policy as “punitive” and says a better approach is to use education to encourage health-care workers to get vaccinated.

The union plans to meet with their employers and a chief medical officer on Monday to raise their concerns.

Provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall has argued such policies are effective, pointing to statistics that say jurisdictions in the United States with similar rules have seen vaccination rates climb to more than 95 per cent.