The flu vaccine should be mandatory for frontline health staff, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland has urged. The college is calling for mandatory vaccination because it is the only intervention to date that has been proven to achieve vaccine rates of more than 95%. Studies have shown that flu infection occurs in about one in five healthcare workers, a rate that is higher than in other workers. A report – Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Workers, published by the college states that the needs of the patient population must take priority over the personal choice of the individual healthcare worker. Asked why shouldn't the flu vaccination be mandatory during an interview on RTÉ radio yesterday, Ms Ní Sheaghdha believed the health authority was not seeking to make it compulsory.

Source: Evening echo October 18, 2018 14:37 UTC