WEST ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. (KTVI) – A Mercy Hospital employee is facing disciplinary action after refusing to get a flu shot.
The employee did not want FOX 2 to reveal her identity.
“I am scared to get the shot because of the proven adverse reactions people have had,” she said.
The hospital adopted a mandatory flu shot policy this year.
“It is in the best interest of our patients,” Chief of Quality at Mercy Hospital Keith Starky said. “We know that influenza is a leading killer for the elderly and it is just not a risk we can take.”
The policy states that employees can forgo the shot for a few specific reasons, including religious.
The employee refusing to take the flu shot said she is a Christian.
“My religious reasons request was denied,” she said.
Now she is facing the possibility of a written warning.
“I have until Dec. 15 to get the shot,” she said.
Hospital officials said no employees will be fired if their only written warnings resulted from refusing to get a flu shot.
“We just think it is in the best interest of everyone to get it,” Starky said.
Most health care facilities are moving toward a similar policy.
“I just think they are not respecting our rights,” she said.
