This flu season San Diego County health care providers have to either get a flu shot or wear a mask while working, according to an order issued by Wilma Wooten, the county's public health officer.
Such mandates are controversial.
While experts say doctors and nurses are at risk for getting the flu and transmitting it to patients, the nation's largest nurses unions oppose mandatory flu shots. Unions say there should be exemptions for religious or health reasons.
California law mandates hospitals to offer flu shots to its health care workers, but the vaccinations aren’t required.
County officials say during the 2012-2013 flu season, local hospitals had worker vaccination rates ranging from 57 percent to 99 percent. Nationwide, l75 percent of health care workers were vaccinated against the virus last flu season.
A county report showed 127 San Diegans were diagnosed with the flu for the week ending Dec. 20. So far this flu season, the county has recorded 396 cases of the flu compared to 207 for the same period last year.
According to the county, flu activity in the region intensifies in January and February, and the flu season typically lasts through early April.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine every year.
