Doctors who turn down flu vaccine could be redeployed

Doctors and other hospital workers in England who have direct contact with patients may have to move department if they refuse to be vaccinated against flu, NHS bosses have said.

A letter to hospital trusts from NHS England and NHS Improvement said, “In hospital departments where patients have a lower immunity and are most at risk of flu, it may be appropriate for healthcare workers who choose not to be vaccinated to be redeployed to other areas where this promotes patient safety.” High risk areas include haematology, oncology, bone marrow transplantation, neonatal intensive care, and special care baby units, although trusts may identify other areas with high proportions of more vulnerable patients.

“Our …