Essentia Employees Still Required to Get Flu Shot After Judge’s Ruling

97 Percent of Employees Have Received Flu Shot

DULUTH, Minn.-A United Steelworkers motion to try and block Essentia Health’s requirement of getting flu shots, has been denied by a federal judge.

Essentia is now saying that employees, who don’t make an effort to get a flu shot by Monday, will be terminated.

The requirement is for all employees, along with vendors, volunteers, and students who work on their various sites. Those exempted from the flu shot are those with a certain medical condition or a religious exemption.

Earlier today, Essentia Health released a statement in regards to the flu shot which read in part:

“The purpose of the policy isn’t to terminate any of our valued colleagues, but to protect patients, team members, and the community. We continue to vaccinate employees who choose to receive the flu shot. As of this morning, 97 percent of Essentia employees had either been immunized or approved for an exemption.”