Many of the country’s largest companies are telling hospitals to send a message to physicians and other health professionals who refuse influenza immunization: “You’re fired.”

“Transmission of seasonal influenza between health care workers and patients is a significant patient and worker safety issue. Failure to prevent the transmission of seasonal flu between health care workers and patients also increases health costs,” said Helen Darling, president and CEO of the National Business Group on Health, at a Feb. 2 news conference. The organization represents 340 U.S. companies, 68 of which are listed on the Fortune 500.

My latest. Read the whole shebang.