Flu shot now mandatory for workers

KETTERING, Ohio (WDTN) - Kettering Health Network is joining others in now requiring all workers and volunteers to get a flu shot.

The thought is if they don't have the flu, they can't give it to you.

"If healthcare workers are vaccinated, there's less transmission of flu from the workers to patients," says Dr. Jeffrey Weinstein, an Infectious Disease Specialist with Kettering Health Network.

You would think those in the medical field would be first in line for flu shots, but just like the rest of us some are hesitant to get the shots for various reasons.

"There are a lot of misconceptions about the flu vaccine," Weinstein says.

Among those are that the vaccine can make you sick.

"You cannot get the flu from a vaccine," Weinstein says. "I think when that happens people are getting an incidental infection, something's that's a coincidence, and not related to the vaccine."

Another is that the flu isn't a big deal.

"Other people say the flu's not that bad," Weinstein says. "I don't need the vaccine cause it's just like the cold, but influenza can actually make people very very sick."

That's the last thing needed for those in the hospital who are already suffering.

"We never know at what point it's going to hit each year but we know it hits every year so it's best to get the flu shot early," Weinstein says.

Exceptions to the mandatory flu shot will be made for people based on religious or medical reasons.

Officials say those will be dealt with on a case by case basis.