When asked whether they thought physicians who come into contact with patients should be required to get an annual flu shot, 69 percent of physicians said yes, 21 percent said no, and 10 percent said it depends, a Medscape survey found.
Medscape surveyed over 5,200 physicians in more than 29 specialties about their feelings on key ethical issues in their practice.
"Physicians should determine what's best for their own health, but if they refuse the vaccine and contract the flu, they should be obligated to refrain from seeing patients for a predetermined number of days in order not to spread the virus," an internist said in the survey.
An oncologist offered another perspective: "My libertarian self says no, but you are foolish if you are a physician and don't get it. Our hospital will not let you use sick time if you didn't get [your] flu shot and you call out for the flu."
Although vaccination rates have flattened among healthcare workers over the last several years, in 2016-17, these rates were highest among physicians (95.8 percent); nurse practitioners and physician assistants (92 percent); nurses (92.6 percent); and pharmacists (93.7 percent), according to the CDC.
Rates were lowest among other clinical healthcare personnel (80 percent); assistants and aides (69.1 percent); and nonclinical healthcare personnel (73.7 percent).