Years later, there is still controversy about the COVID-19 Vaccine mandate, that Joe Biden mandate expired in June of 2023 and a recent survey revealed that only one in six healthcare workers are receiving the COVID-19 boosters. 

Full disclosure. I have been keeping up on my COVID-19 boosters, although the most recent one I still have not taken yet. I'll be doing that later this month, and I can say with some certainty that I have never contracted the COVID-19 virus and to be honest, I feel very lucky, although I've had a few people in my immediate family wind up with COVID-19 in the last couple of years, happily, the effects have been minimal. I believe in part because of their use of the vaccine and boosters. 

HHS Secretary Azar Speaks At Vaccination Kickoff At GW University Hospital
Pool
HHS Secretary Azar Speaks At Vaccination Kickoff At GW University Hospital

I also have friends who have lost relatives to the COVID-19 virus in the last year, and I feel that is tragic. 

But what about our healthcare workers? 

According to axios.com,
The CDC study found 15.3% of workers in 4,112 acute care hospitals got boosted in 2023-2024, with rates lowest among licensed independent practitioners. Vaccination coverage was 10.5% overall among workers in more than 14,000 nursing homes.
Flu vaccination rates for the same period were 80.7% at acute care hospitals and 45.4% at nursing homes.’ 

Mature doctor and nurse discussing patient case
Ridofranz
Mature doctor and nurse discussing patient case

Something that I find especially interesting is that CDC vaccine advisors recommend that all health workers get a flu shot, but those recommendations don't occur when discussing COVID-19. Boosters other than individual workplace policies or promotions. 

Should our public and private health care workers be required to take the COVID 19 vaccine and boosters?  

Three years ago, I would have said yes. Now I'm not so sure. 

Less than 1 in 6 health workers got COVID booster
Health systems' trouble with vaccine mandates
Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Health Care Personnel – United States, 2023-24 Influenza Season | FluVaxView | CDC

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