Chiropractors Ordered to Get Flu Shots

News Staff
Chiropractors Ordered to Get Flu Shots

Refusal May Result in Civil Enforcement or Criminal Penalties

Richard Wickenheiser, MD the Health Officer of Tehama County California has issued an ORDER (No. 12-01) mandating influenza vaccination of health care workers during the 2020/2021 influenza season. The order dated September 1, 2020 applies to:

Hospitals, Ambulatory and Community Clinics, Medical Practices, Skilled Nursing and other Long-Term Care Facilities, Dentist Offices, Chiropractic Offices, Physical Therapy Practices, and other Health Care Facilities.

CLICK HERE for a copy of the Order

The ORDER reads:

Order

Pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 120175:

  • Each and every health care facility in Tehama County is hereby ORDERED to implement a program requiring all health care workers providing services at the facility to receive an annual influenza vaccination.
  • Every health care facility shall promptly provide a copy of this Order to each healthcare worker providing services at the facility and shall further post a copy of this Order in a prominent and accessible location in the facility for the duration of the 2020/2021 influenza season.

This mandate requires influenza vaccination for all HCWs who are unable to provide an accepted medical exemption signed by an MD or DO.

In describing his reasons for the Order Wickenheiser states:

"During the COVID-19 pandemic it remains a top priority for HCWs to be vaccinated. The overlap in symptoms of this disease accompanied by the lack of effective treatment for COVID19 requires additional public health intervention."

According to the Order compliance is mandatory with potential criminal charges for non-compliance:

Compliance with this Order is mandatory for all health care facilities in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Tehama County. violation may result in civil enforcement or criminal penalties under Division 105 and/or Division 112 of the Health and Safety Code.

The order also states:

"If a health care worker receives their influenza vaccination after November 1st, the health care worker will need to wear a mask for two weeks after their immunization while antibodies develop in the body."

Following in the footsteps of Tehama, Shasta County California has issued a nearly identical mandate.

CLICK HERE for that story

McCoy Press