Front-Line Staff and Flu Immunisation

A healthcare assistant (HCA) on the cardiology ward is approached by a member of the occupational health team who asks if she would like to have her annual winter flu immunization, stating that ‘all the other staff are having it’ and that she will get a ‘flu fighter’ badge if she does. The HCA is not sure if she wants to have it; she has heard people often get ill after the injection and she has never had the flu anyway.

• Is there a moral obligation for front-line NHS staff to have the flu immunization?

Apply Theory (Specific Professional Healthcare Competencies + Clinical Medical Ethical Principles) to Practice in order to provide Optimal Patient-Centered Care (OPCC)

Clinical Ethics and Law, Second edition. Carolyn Johnston, Penelope Bradbury, Series editor: Janice Ryme