Washington State Nurses Association position statement on COVID-19 vaccination

The Washington State Nurses Associ­a­tion (WSNA) is committed to the health and safety of our nurses as well as other front­line caregivers, our families, patients, and commu­ni­ties. In keeping with this commitment, WSNA strongly recommends that all nurses and other health care providers be vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus. WSNA supports and urges voluntary efforts that aim for 100% vaccination rates, including education and implementation of comprehensive COVID-19 vaccination programs for all health care workers. WSNA is committed to educating our members and the public about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccinations. We encourage all unvaccinated people to talk with their health care provider about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Nurses have a professional responsibility and an ethical duty to protect patients at all levels—as individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations. Vaccinations are recognized as an important measure in the history and protection of public health, and nurses are encouraged to consider vaccination for self-protection and the protection of the patients and communities served. All current available data indicates that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Local public health jurisdictions and health care providers are available to discuss individual circumstances related to COVID-19 vaccination.

WSNA supports and expects enforce­ment of existing federal and state regula­tions including Governor-issued procla­ma­tions and all public health direc­tives. All employers must meet the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Occupa­tional Health and Safety Admin­is­tra­tion (OSHA), Washington State Depart­ment of Labor & Indus­tries and Washington State Depart­ment of Health require­ments to combat COVID-19. In addition, employers must comply with all laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, providing reasonable accommodation unless this would pose undue hardship as defined by the law.