Grand Rapids hospital worker refuses flu shot GRAND RAPIDS, MI (Associated Press) - A Grand Rapids hospital worker is refusing for religious reasons to take a flu shot required of all employees.

Rachel Denherder says she opposes vaccinations because of her Christian beliefs. She is a respiratory therapist at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.

Hospital operator Spectrum Health is one of a growing number of health care systems that have started requiring employees to get flu shots.

Spectrum workers must receive the seasonal influenza vaccine but are not required to get vaccinated against the swine flu.

Denherder tells WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids that employees were told they must comply by Nov. 30.

Spectrum vice president Dr. David Dull tells The Grand Rapids Press that it's a patient-safety issue.

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