Getting the influenza vaccine can help protect facilities, healthcare professionals, and patients, especially when there are vulnerable populations in the facility that come into contact with healthcare personnel, for example, in long-term care settings.
However, there are exemptions for vaccines. For example, individuals may be exempt for medical reasons (contraindications to the vaccine), religious reasons, and personal or philosophical reasons. When exemptions are allowed, the person is usually asked to wear a mask during their shifts to avoid spreading the disease or to stay home during influenza outbreaks. Vaccination compliance varies from state to state and from facility to facility.
