Ohio House offers flu vaccination bill

By Marc Kovac | May 14, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS

Private companies and public agencies would be banned from acting against current or potential new employees who refuse flu vaccinations, under legislation being considered in the Ohio House.

Rep. Christina Hagan, R-Alliance, said she introduced House Bill 170 after hearing from a resident of her district who was negatively affected by employer-mandated influenza vaccines.

“I am carrying this legislation to empower Ohioans and give them the right to refuse vaccines without placing their jobs in jeopardy,” Hagan told the House’s Commerce and Labor Committee.

She added later, “To give a vaccine on a voluntary basis is one thing, but to mandate such a treatment is an egregious violation of personal freedom.”

HB 170 would prohibit employers from firing, refusing to hire or “otherwise discriminating” against those who refuse influenza vaccinations “for any reason, including medical, religious and philosophical,” according to an analysis by the state’s Legislative Service Commission.

The legislation does not include specific penalties against employers who break the prohibitions.

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Hagan cited statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing last year’s vaccine was effective in less than 23 percent of cases.

“Many people, especially those who are in the business of keeping themselves and others healthy, do not want to inject strands of flu viruses into their system recognizing that the repercussions are not necessarily known nor are the positive intentions guaranteed,” she said.