Greet­ings WSNA nurses,

While WSNA as an organi­za­tion encour­ages nurses to receive influenza vacci­na­tions you are not required to receive one. Our contract explic­itly delin­eates that you do not need a medical or religious decli­na­tion. While Peace­Health is trying to imple­ment this new policy system wide, South­west is immune from their policy as we have clear contract language. That being said, do know that WSNA is fighting for the nurses statewide on this new policy and mandate for the other hospitals.

Here is our contract language:

15.1 Employee Health Tests: RNs will be subject to the Medical Center’s Employee Health require­ments and testing programs (for example, for tuber­cu­losis) in accor­dance with the Medical Center’s policies as applic­able to a majority of the Medical Center’s employees who are not in a bargaining unit. All RNs will be encour­aged to receive flu vaccine at no charge, as provided by Employee Health at desig­nated times, places and hours. If an RN declines the flu vacci­na­tion, the RN will sign a decli­na­tion form that will only be used to track the total number and percentage of RN s who decline the vaccine.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at mkieval@wsna.org or call at 206 – 575-7979 ext. 3051.

Mara Kieval, BSN, RN

Nurse Repre­sen­ta­tive

Washington State Nurses Association