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